HC asks TN govt to file status report on FIRs registered on crime against women

Taking a serious view of rise in crime against women and elderly people, the Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu government to file a status report on how many FIRs were registered in such cases.

A division bench of justices Huluvadi G Ramesh and M Dhandapani also directed special government pleader Siva Shanmuga Sundaram to file a report on the status of investigation on such FIRs as on date and measures taken to prevent such crimes by June 6.

A PIL was filed by advocate AP Suryaprakasam seeking safety of women and proper use of the 'Nirbhaya Fund' allotted by the Centre to prevent atrocities against women.

The court orally observed that crime against women were on the rise, particularly offences of chain snatching and attacking or murdering senior citizens when they were alone for gain.

Suryaprakasam, while referring to the reply filed by the government in the matter, said steps taken by the government were not sufficient.

When it was submitted by the special government pleader that the government was taking steps to curtail such crimes, the bench orally observed that merely providing counselling or conducting investigation was not sufficient.

The bench then directed Sundaram to file a status report and posted the matter for further hearing to June 6.