BJP calls for police, judicial reforms to deal with rape cases

Bharatiya Janata Party president Nitin Gadkari called for police and judicial reforms in dealing with women related crime.

New Delhi: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Nitin Gadkari on Saturday called for police and judicial reforms in dealing with women related crime as India mourned the demise of the 23-year old rape victim who succumbed to internal injuries in a Singapore hospital on Saturday morning.

The capital braced for a new wave of protests, closing metro stations and banning vehicles from the central district where young activists had converged to demand improved women`s rights. The news came in the early hours of the morning in India and there were no signs of protests as morning broke. The 23-year-old medical student, severely beaten, raped and thrown out of a moving bus in New Delhi two weeks ago, had been flown to Singapore in a critical condition by the Indian government on Thursday (December 27) for specialist treatment. Expressing grief over the incident, Gadkari said that time is apt to implement strict laws and prevent reoccurrence of such heinous crimes. “The death of the gang-rape victim is highly unfortunate and the entire country is shocked. We need to introspect as to why did a heinous crime like this occurred. It is time also to bring it stricter police and judicial reforms,” said Gadkari. Congress spokesperson Sandeep Dikshit also urged people to send in suggestions to the committee appointed by the government to deal with such crimes, in order to enact a strong anti-rape legislation. “We are saddened by the news of the rape victim’s death. We express our condolences to the victim’s family. I appeal to the people to send in their opinions to the committee that has been formed under Justice Verma to suggest a strict anti-rape law. Once all such opinions are collected I think the country can see a strict anti-rape legislation,” said Dikshit. Meanwhile, BJP leader Maneka Gandhi said that she has no hope from the Congress government and slammed its way of dealing with the crime. “The country has woken up and everyone is asking as to why did this happen and what is the solution and will we feel more secure? I have no hope from the federal government. It will create a hue and cry for a few days and that too through the official spokesperson. Nothing ever has been done. People have been taking to roads agitating against issues like, sex scandals and corruption that been plaguing the country,” said Gandhi. ANI