'Barring ration, no other govt facility for rape, molestation accused in Haryana'

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday announced that people accused of rape and molestation in Haryana will not be allowed to avail benefits from state schemes.

"If a charge sheet is filed against someone on grounds of crimes against women, all government facilities being made available to him, barring ration, will be withdrawn till final judgement is pronounced. No one, be it a man or a woman, will be spared," Khattar said during the launch of Ek aur Sudhar project.

However, Khattar added that if the accused is acquitted of all charges then that person can avail the benefits.

"After the final judgement if that person is acquitted, all the facilities which were withdrawn, will be provided to him. If he is declared a convict then all his facilities will be withdrawn permanently," Khattar said.

The Chief Minister also said that if a rape victim wants to hire a lawyer of her choice except for the one provided by the state government, she would be provided financial assistance of Rs 22,000.

Khattar also said that he will announce a comprehensive scheme for the safety and security of women either on Independence Day (August 15) or Raksha Bandhan (August 26).