Legal team to fight rape cases for free

MAHA INITIATIVE Group of women lawyers comes forward to work pro bono and bring justice to the victims, survivors of sexual assault

Kidnapping

: In the wake of rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Jammu’s Kathua district, senior advocate Rizwan Merchant announced a panel of women lawyers who will take up rape cases across Maharashtra.

The group will also approach the state and write to the Prime Minister’s Office to consider ‘castration’ as a punishment for those found guilty of rape.

Merchant announced ‘Harmony Brigade’ while addressing a congregation of schoolchildren at St Xavier’s College. Sharing the news in the presence of retired Bombay high court judge Abhay Thipsay, former Mumbai police chief MN Singh and others, Merchant said the panel, working pro bono, will also aid investigating agencies so that crucial in laws that you want to see, and not the ones the legislature thumps on you. When we raise our voice, amendments are made. Demand for laws from the lawmakers which make you feel secure. You have chosen them to represent you. RIZWAN MERCHANT, advocate Pocso Act if a policeman does not file an FIR for a cognisable offence. Take up the cause by approaching human rights activists and lawyers.

MN SINGH, former Mumbai top cop evidence is not lost.

“The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) is the same as it was in 1984, save some changes in the procedures. The FSL lacks infrastructure to perform important tests on time,” he added.

He also said the group will write to the PMO and the state, suggesting options of surgical or chemical castration, which is legal in a few countries, for those found guilty of rape.

“Reduction in time taken to complete the judicial process and expediting cases in fast track courts is the need of the hour, Merchant said.

Talking about death penalty, Thipsay said deterrence has its own limitations. “The actual deterrence is the certainty of being caught and not just the extent of punishment. Even after the amendment, to increase punishment to death, the NCRB data

let us down. Who will the criminals fear, if the police are in hands in gloves with them, as we have seen in the Kathua case. You must step out and educate people about their rights.

DAISY IRANI, actor

CRIME AGAINST CHILDREN IN MUMBAI IN 2016

shows the cases [ of crime against women and children] have increased.”

While Singh maintained that he is against “cruel punishments, be it castration or death”, he said if the law recognises the punishment and court awards the same to the convict, we must respect the decision. Singh, however, called out the political class for turning rape cases into a slugfest.

“India has become a sick society. The political class has become a threat to civil society as they engage in communalism. Only a few are secular in beliefs and their deeds,” Singh said.

Social activist Trisha Shetty urged citizens to take a stand and question those in power. She said death penalty is not the solution in cases where the perpetrator is related to the survivor, as fear of losing their relative to death may prevent action.

MUMBAI