Significant changes in the Criminal Procedure Code, CrPC, including completing rape case trials in two months have come into effect from Thursday. The changes also provide for Women judges to hear rape cases as far as practicable and recording victims’ statements at places of their choice. In some other changes effected that statement of a rape victim shall be recorded at her residence and, as far as practicable, by a woman police officer in the presence of the victim’s parents or guardian, or a social worker.<br/><br/>Some other amendments provide for laying down procedures for arresting women and also stipulating that an arrested person be examined immediately by a medical officer.<br/><br/>The changes in the CrPC also provide safeguards in the case of an enquiry against a person of unsound mind and incorporates a new Section 357A that obliges every state government to prepare a scheme for providing funds to compensate the victim of a crime or his or her dependents.<br/><br/>Three provisions are not being notified for the present. They relate to the power of a police officer to make an arrest and the power of the Court to grant or refuse adjournments. Representations were received against these provisions. Hence, they were referred to the Law Commission. The Law Commission held consultations and submitted its report.