App to monitor MP public prosecutors showing results: Official

The mobile application, which tracks the work of public prosecutors in Madhya Pradesh, has begun to show results with 10 death sentences awarded in as many rape cases in the past six months, a senior official said today.

One of these cases, in the state's Katni district, even found mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech last week.

A 34-year-old man, Rajkumar Kol, was sentenced to death on July 27, within five days of the trial commencing, for raping a five-year-old.

He was arrested on July 7, a charge sheet was filed on July 12 and hearing in the case started on July 23.

Director of Public Prosecution Rajendra Kumar told PTI that as part of the "eProsecution app" introduced eight months ago, about 1000-odd prosecution officers have to keep a daily log of their work which has to be approved by their immediate superior.

Kumar informed that the state has 200 prosecution offices in 50 cities and 150 tehsils and the app had made it easy to track their work and get a clarification from those whose work was not up to the mark.

"About two months ago, a reward system was also introduced to motivate prosecutors to fast track the hearings and ensure quick convictions. For every death penalty, the prosecution officer gets 1,000 points and 500 for a life sentence. Other convictions also get them points as per the prescribed slab," Kumar said.

The points help the government choose the best prosecutor at the state and district levels, he said.

On August 3, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan had felicitated public prosecutors from across the state at a function for securing death sentences to people accused of raping minors.

The Madhya Pradesh Assembly had on December 4, 2017, passed a bill awarding death to those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 and below.

Affirming that the app and its reward system was creating a sense of competition among prosecutors, Kumar said, "It was earlier thought that the prosecution officers of four-five big cities were delivering results. Now, prosecutors from smaller places are outperforming others."