Report sought on crime against women

A division bench comprising Justice Huluvadi G Ramesh and Justice M Dhandapani before whom a plea seeking to pay a minimum of Rs three lakh as initial payment each to stalking/passion crime victims or family members, came up on Wednesday, said, “Crime against women is on the rise, particularly offences of chain snatching. Moreover, lone women are either attacked or murdered for gain.”

The bench, refusing to accept the submission by the Government pleader that the State is taking all steps to curtail such crimes, pointed out that mere counselling or investigation is not sufficient. 

It sought details about the number of FIRs registered in such cases, the investigation status on those FIRs as on date and the measure taken to prevent such incidents. The bench then adjourned the case to June 6. 

The petitioner, advocate A P Suryaprakasam had moved the plea in the wake of acid attack on women and murder at the hands of perpetrators of stalking/ passion crime. 

The plea, besides seeking instant free and full medical assistance to such victims including reconstructive surgeries, also sought for the appointment of police officers not below the rank of inspectors in each police station, to visit the victims’ house in civilian dress to enquire and investigate the complaint of stalking and eve teasing.