Psyche evaluation must for such attackers: Expert

Stating that ordinary individuals are unlikely to have the courage to set a woman on fire, Dr Shanthi Nambi, Director, Kilpauk Mental Institute, said, “Such crimes cannot be done by someone who has a normal judgement, normal thinking and insight. People who have been implicated in such heinous crimes must seriously be checked, liked other psychiatric patients, for some kind of a psychological problem.” 

Stating that a majority of those who conduct such heinous crimes suffer from some kind of a psychological problem, she said, “He might be suffering from severe depression or suicidal ideations. A person who is conducting such a daring act of homicide, must be harbouring a serious kind of a psychological problem and must surely be referred to mental health professionals.” As such obsessions must be observed and analysed, she said, “Close friends of such persons must refer them to a psychiatrist.” 

Urging women to make sure that they are safe, women’s rights activist Sheela Nathan said, “If a man threatens a woman, she must immediately escape the area. Never give room for the man to hurt you. You never know how safe or dangerous the man is and therefore it is essential that you make sure you’re safe.” Stressing on the importance of acting smart as well as diligently, she stated, “We don’t know if the person is dangerous to himself or to others. It is therefore important to take the legal angle. If you have the slightest feeling that something’s not right, approach the police immediately, something most women today refrain from doing.”

In the last few years, at least a dozen women across the state have been attacked by men who turned down their proposals. Women’s rights activists also blame the delay in delivering justice for the rise is such crimes.