Commission to fix responsibility in Delhi gang-rape case: Chidambaram

The Centre on Wednesday announced the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry to probe the Delhi gang-rape case.

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: Moving forward to provide speedy justice to the victim of the Delhi gang-rape case and ensure safety and security of women, the Centre on Wednesday announced the setting up of a Commission of Inquiry to probe the matter and look into the lapses by police, if any. Addressing the press here following a Union Cabinet meet, Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram said the Cabinet has approved the setting up of a one-man Commission of Inquiry, which will be headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Usha Mehra. Chidambaram said the Commission will fix responsibility in the case and look into any negligence on part of the Delhi Police. The Commission has been tasked to also suggest measures on security and safety of women in the country, especially the Delhi-NCR region, the minister, adding the report will be submitted within 3 months after which it will be tabled in Parliament along with action taken by the government. “Whatever we are doing now is only intended to demonstrate the government’s serious intent on the matter that we will apprehend and punish the perpetrators. We will try and find out what went wrong and fix responsibility. We will also amend the laws as deemed necessary. There are three parts to what we are doing,” Chidambaram told reporters. He added that the government is open to suggestions on what more needs to be done, especially from women. Expressing hope that the girl will recover, the minister said “our prayers are with the family of the victim”. He also appealed to everyone to stay calm and added that “we are trying to find a lasting solution to the problem”. He noted that the incident was a matter of shame for the government of India. "It is a shame. As a man, I feel ashamed. All of you here in this room should also feel ashamed. Why do men behave like this? We acknowledge the public anger and recognise it," Chidambaram said at the press conference addressed jointly with Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari. The decision to set up the Commission was taken at the meeting which was briefed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the December 16 incident that shocked the nation and triggered widespread protests. At the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, several ministers expressed anguish at the incident and said the government should walk the extra mile to ensure recovery of the victim and instil a sense of safety among women. The Commission will be in addition to the three-member Committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J S Verma which is to suggest amendments in law to provide for quicker trial and more stringent punishment in "aggravated sexual assault" cases amid demands for death penalty.