New Delhi, Feb 2: Alarmed by the growing number of sexual offences in the capital, the Delhi Police has sought setting up of three special courts to expedite the trial of rape cases pending in various courts here. In a letter to Delhi chief secretary Shailaja Chandra, Delhi police commissioner R S Gupta suggested that three special courts - one each in Tis Hazari, Patiala House and Karkardooma - should be established to expeditiously punish the perpetrators of the heinous crime. He also sought appointment of women prosecutors to conduct trial proceedings in rape cases, at least the "prominent" ones. "I shall be grateful if you kindly take up the above two issues with the authorities concerned. It will go a long way to ensure speedy trial", Gupta said in his letter to the chief secretary. Acting on Gupta's suggestion, Delhi government joint secretary (law, justice and legislative affairs) Reena Singh Nag has since written to the registrar general of the Delhi high court inviting his views and comments on the issue "at the earliest for necessary action".

The registrar general has in turn asked the district and sessions judge J P Singh to send court-wise list of rape cases pending before additional sessions judges.


Bureau Report