The Maharashtra cabinet has decided to adopt a different approach to women's harassment cases, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's instruction. The government, under Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, will soon allow women to lodge harassment complaints online. This move is part of a broader strategy to combat and prevent crimes against women more effectively. The government also pushes for harsher penalties and fast-track courts for such cases.
Deputy CM addressed the protests against the rape and murder case of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital Kolkata and the sexual abuse of two minor girls in Badlapur in Mumbai. In a recent event, PM Modi also highlighted the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita's chapter on crimes against women and children, allowing e-FIR filing for women that cannot be changed by anyone at the police station level.
Commenting on this, the deputy CM stated that PM Modi instructed to file complaints online for incidents, prompting immediate implementation. He called for "strict to strictest" action against perpetrators, recommending capital punishment and fast-track court trials for such crimes.
In addition to this, the Maharashtra government plans to install panic buttons in schools and hostels to improve safety, especially for female students, following a tragic incident in Badlapur. The initiative includes CCTV cameras for quick emergency responses. Furthermore, Indian government also plan to implement safety measures including the establishment of committees and a Special Investigate Team (SIT) to investigate sexual harassment, expediting legal processes for child abuse cases in fast-track courts, promoting educational programs and awareness campaigns, and strengthening the Shakti Act to protect women and children from sexual offenses.
