Low conviction rates in cases of crime against women matter of concern: Ahir

Union Minister Hansraj Gangaram Ahir today expressed grave concern over low conviction rates in cases of crime against women and said speedy disposal of such cases alone can check the crimes and act as a deterrent.

Addressing the inaugural session of a national conference on 'Gender Justice in Criminal Law', Ahir said the government was sensitive to the issue of women safety and has introduced in law harsher punishments including capital punishment to deal with such offences.

"While laws can be made more harsh, swift disposal by criminal justice system can only check the crimes and also act as a deterrent to prevent its recurrence. The low conviction rates, however, continue to be a matter of grave concern," he said.

The Union Minister of State for Home said the government, responding to public sentiment, recently issued an ordinance regarding amendment to Article 376 of Indian Penal Code (IPC) making provision for stricter punishment to deal with crimes against women.

Ahir said the law was last amended after the horrific December 16 rape in Delhi 2012, but since the society at large was outraged over the recent spate of sexual crimes against minors, the government has introduced harsher punishment including capital punishment to deal with such offences.

The minister said the government has also set stiff time-frame for investigation and swift disposal of cases by fast-track courts.

Ahir said under the police modernisation programme, the government has laid emphasis on improving the forensic laboratories and improve efficiency of prosecution agencies.

The seminar was organised by the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D) here.