KNEE-JERK REACTION

THOUGH many have welcomed the government decision to award death penalty for rape of minor girls, I feel it is more of a knee-jerk response by the government to the public outcry and is not a well thought out measure (‘India approves death for raping kids below 16,’ April 22, The Gulf Today).

Why do I say so? I feel the severity of the punishment should go hand in hand with other requirements, like a transparent and fair system in place from the lodging the initial complaint to ITS INAL JUDGMENT COUPLED WITH SPEEDY convictions. Which unfortunately is dismally poor in India.

There are a mind-boggling number of cases pending under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in courts across the country apart from a large number of cases ggoing unreported due to the stigma attached to such crimes. The conviction rate is also low — 25 to 30 per cent in rape case and even lesser in child rape cases. Making matters worse for the victims is that in over 90 percent of the crimes, the perpetrators are known to the victim.

Like in the recent cases, the unwarranted delay by the police in ILING MISSING PERSON COMPLAINTS AND registering written complaints of sexual assault survivors is another serious evil plaguing the system.

Under these circumstances, effective investigation and speedy convictions by fast tracking rape cases, in my opinion, will serve a more effective deterrent than capital punishment. The whole process needs to be looked at holistically, if the government is serious about tackling the menace. Piecemeal measures will do little good, even if they are severe. Suchitra S

Dubai