DCW hails speedy trial in rape case by MP court

The Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) on Sunday hailed the fastest rape trial conducted by a Madhya Pradesh court where a rape convict was awarded death penalty within 46 days of the incident.

Speaking to ANI, the DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, "The DCW had been appealing to the Prime Minister to bring a law in our country which ensures justice within six months. I had to sit on an indefinite hunger strike and on the 10th day of the hunger strike, this ordinance was passed in the Centre. I think this is the direct result of the ordinance that within 46 days, a court in Sagar has ordered death penalty to the rapists. I strongly welcome this decision."

She further urged all the courts across the country to also pronounce timely verdict in such cases.

"I would urge all the courts across the country to give more of such decisions," she said.

A man, accused of raping a nine-year-old girl in Madhya Pradesh's Rehli, was sentenced to death within 46 days of the incident.

The verdict was pronounced yesterday by Additional Session Judge Sudhanshu Saxena.

The incident took place on May 21, when the accused lured the girl and took her to a nearby temple and raped her.

A case was registered and within 72 hours, it was presented before the Session Court.

According to prosecutor P.L Rawat, the trial went on for 10 days, in which DNA report confirming the rape was submitted.

In April, the Union Cabinet, at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved an ordinance allowing courts to pronounce the death penalty for those convicted of raping children below the age of 12.