AAP seeks control over Delhi Police after gang rape

Condemning the rape of a 51-year-old Danish woman near the New Delhi railway station, ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) stressed the need for fast-track courts, and for bringing Delhi Police under the purview of the state government.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he met Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung on the matter.

"We both felt that there is a need to meet the police commissioner (B.S. Bassi). Justice should be given, but that is a small thing. Why should there be rapes, and why are so many being recorded in Delhi," he asked.

Kejriwal added that there needs to be an analysis of the rape cases in Delhi.

"Are the rapes venue-specific or are they person-specific or situation-specific. We should at least know what the problem is. Then we can investigate further," he said.

Kejriwal said "strong deterrence" was needed, along with fast track courts so that the culprits are punished.

The 51-year-old tourist was robbed and then raped by a gang of eight Tuesday when she sought directions to her hotel.

Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia said: "We will request the chief justice of India to take all the rape cases to fast track courts, so that the strictest punishment is meted out to the culprits."

AAP leader Kumar Vishwas stressed the need for Delhi Police to be brought under the jurisdiction of the state government. Delhi Police is at present under the jurisdiction of the union government.

"Delhi Police should be brought under the state government. This is an old demand of ours, so the chief minister and central government should make an effort," Vishwas said.

He said that since Delhi Police remain under the central government, they cannot work properly.

Demanding a home minister at the state level, Vishwas said: "If any such incidents happen in Delhi, there should be a home minister, so that he can look after Delhi affairs. It otherwise becomes a long affair which includes contacting and consulting the centre."

The Danish woman, who came to India Jan 1, went to visit a museum Tuesday afternoon but lost her way to her hotel in Paharganj, a tourist hub in the heart of Delhi. Around 4 p.m., a group of men lured her to an isolated spot where she was robbed of her iPad and cash and then gang raped.