New Delhi, Aug 11: The National Commission for Women, back from a fact-finding mission to Panna district in Madhya Pradesh where a 65-year-old woman allegedly committed sati on August 6, on Sunday recommended establishment of special courts to try those who abetted the crime. Expressing shock that such an incident could happen even in present times, NCW chairperson Poornima Advani, who headed the four-member fact-finding team, said, "Everyone knew about the incident in advance. Villagers and others knew two to three hours before the incident that Kuttu Bai was planning to commit sati," casting aspersions on the role of administration in the incident.

"Let me say, nobody pushed her, but nobody also saved her," she said.

In its report, the team also recommended that the commission of Sati (Prevention) Act should be made applicable more strictly.
Describing the atmosphere in the village as "fearful", Advani said they had to visit many houses to gather facts as nobody was ready to come out. Bureau Report