DCW issues notice to Delhi Police, seeks details of rape accused out on bail

The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Tuesday issued a notice to police seeking details of all the rape accused out on bail.

The notice came following an incident in outer Delhi's Narela area where a 28-year-old man, who had previously been convicted of raping a minor in 2011, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly killing a seven-year-old girl after raping her.

"Such horrifying crimes committed by repeat offenders have been on the rise in the national capital and steps must be taken by the law enforcing bodies to ensure deterrence of such crimes," the DCW said.

The women's panel has asked the Delhi Police to provide a complete list of persons who have been booked under rape charges and released on bail, their details of release, time spent in jail before being granted bail along with the details of any previous convictions or arrests.

The commission has also sought details of any case registered after the first arrest or conviction that is a repeat offence and whether any mechanism is in place to ensure monitoring of the accused out on bail to ensure that they do not commit the crime again.

DCW chief Swati Maliwal said, "How do authorities ensure that such heinous crimes are not committed again? In developed countries, there are strict monitoring mechanisms in place for the accused who are let out on bail. We will work on this issue with the Delhi Police and ensure that proper systems are put in place to curb reoffending."