New Delhi: In an unprecedented move, the Delhi High Court on Sunday directed day-to-day trial in all sexual assault cases against women being heard by lower courts, saying the recent "brutal gang-rape" incident here has "shaken" the entire nation.
"... The Administrative Committee (of HC) has resolved to issue directions to all Additional Sessions Judges in Delhi that cases of sexual assault on women will be tried on day-to-day basis from the date of commencement of the trial," the Registrar General of the High Court said in a statement on Sunday.
The release also said that a bench headed by Chief Justice D Murugesan has already taken "suo motu cognisance" of the incident on the "judicial side".
"The recent brutal gang rape in Delhi has shaken the entire nation. There is widespread outrage in the Capital and the Delhi High Court has also taken a very serious view of the matter. The Delhi High Court has already taken suo motu cognisance of the matter on the judicial side...," it said.
The administrative committee of the High Court, headed by the Chief Justice, has already accepted the Delhi Government's proposal to establish five special fast track courts to deal with the sexual assaults cases against women, it said.
The steps would be taken to operationalise them after the winter vacation.
A 23-year-old paramedical student was gang-raped and brutally tortured in a moving bus before being thrown out along with her male friend on last Sunday night in South Delhi, sparking national outrage.
PTI
First Published: Sunday, December 23, 2012, 18:17