Support Justice Verma recommendations: Bedi

Former IPS officer-turned-social activist Kiran Bedi today said she fully supported the Justice Verma recommendations for amending the law related to sexual harassment.

Srinagar: Former IPS officer-turned-social activist Kiran Bedi today said she fully supported the Justice Verma recommendations for amending the law related to sexual harassment that will end impunity for members of armed forces if involved in cases like rape.

"If a man in uniform, be it a policeman or army man, commits rape, he should face trial under civil law and not court martial. I fully support the Justice Verma recommendation on this," Bedi told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.

Calling the amendment "need of the hour", Bedi said it will also end impunity for men in uniform for heinous crimes like rape if the safety of the women folk in the country is to be ensured.

"Only then, they (men in uniform) will be protectors and not betrayers," she said.

Bedi, a member of India Against Corruption, said she also supported the recommendation regarding action against superior officers of belt forces for failing to act in cases where such an offence is committed by a subordinate and is brought to their notice.

She said while the recommendations made by Justice Verma commission were "very very good", it was up to the Centre to accept them.

The former IPS officer, however, refused to comment on opposition from the Army for revoking Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state.

PTI

Zee News App: Read latest news of India and world, bollywood news, business updates, cricket scores, etc. Download the Zee news app now to keep up with daily breaking news and live news event coverage.