MHA asks states to set up Fast Track Courts to deal with crimes against women

New Delhi: In order to cease crimes against women in the country, the Home Ministery on Monday asked all the states to set up separate Fast Track Courts for such cases.

While ensuring all possible assistance to the states to curb down crimes against women, the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that criminal justice system needs to be strengthened and all states should work on it.

According to a press release issued by MHA, the ministry has proposed setting up of 150 such IUCAW units in states which record high number of crimes against women.

"These units may consist of 15 personnel, preferably five of them women. The states will have full flexibility on whether to create new posts or to designate from the existing strength. Each IUCAW will be headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police assisted by two DSPs. Out of the total 2250 personnel required for the 150 IUCAWs, 750 will be women. This will involve a total expenditure of 84 crore rupees annually, out of which 42 crore rupees will be provided by the Centre," the press release stated.

Elaborating the functions of these IUCAW, Singh said that these units will investigate cases, augment the investigative machinery of the States in relation to the heinous crimes against women, especially Rape, Dowry Death, Acid Attack and Human Trafficking, instill confidence and encourage women to come forward and lodge their complaint and improve the gender ratio in the State Police forces.

Besides, these units will have the additional functionality of proactive policing, intelligence gathering, tackling organised crime, monitoring proper implementation of the legislative provisions, helping awareness generation and promotion of social participation in checking crimes against women.

Singh further added that the Centre will share the cost with states on 50:50 basis on setting of IUCAW.

Here are Home Ministry's Tweets:  '

MHA has proposed to set up Investigative Units on Crimes against Women (IUCAW), in 20% of the districts of each State.— HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 5, 2015

MHA has proposed to set up 150 such IUCAW units initially on pilot basis in most crime prone districts of each state.— HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 5, 2015

Out of the total 2250 personnel required for the 150 IUCAWs, 750 will be women.— HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 5, 2015

HM has also advised the states to set up separate Fast Track Courts to deal with these cases expeditiously.— HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 5, 2015

The HM has also assured all possible assistance to the States in taming the menace of crimes against women.— HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 5, 2015