CJI asks states to deal firmly with rape cases

Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir today asked states to deal firmly deal with cases of rape and atrocities on women saying that administration and investigation should go hand in hand.
"Unless administration is strict and handles cases with a strong hand, nothing can be done. Administration and investigation have to go hand in hand," Justice Kabir said after inaugurating a circuit bench of the appellate tribunal for electricity here.
"It is to be ensured that investigation is done accurately and fairly. The administration will have to take stern action. This is urgently required," he said.
The chief justice said "Many cases have been lost due to want of witnesses and for improper investigations in the past."

Speaking about the efficacy of fast track courts, he said trial in the Delhi gang-rape case of 2012 was almost completed and over 70 witnesses examined. "It is at a final stage."
Justice Kabir said that there has been, of late, good response to the call for setting up fast track courts from the states to deal with cases pertaining to violence against women, in particular.

"Each state has been putting effort to see that fast track courts are active," he said.
He, however, refused to comment on Kamduni rape case in North 24-parganas district of West Bengal.
Asked to comment on the state government's announcement of compensation for rape victims, he said it was an administrative matter.

"We have nothing to say in this matter," he said.