NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Interior Saturday ordered all states and territories in the Union to strictly enforce laws and guidelines related to sexual assault on women and cracking down on officers responsible for lapses.
“Any errors, if noticed, should be investigated and rigorous action taken immediately against the officers responsible for them,” the MHA statement said.
According to the Union government order, all states are required to register an FIR, the collection of evidence for forensic examination and the use of the sexual assault evidence collection kit (SAEC), the completion of the investigation in sexual assault cases within two months, the use of the national sex offender database to identify and track repeat sex offenders, etc.
In case the crime is committed outside the jurisdiction of a police station, the victim can present a “Zero FIR”.
However, even with strict provisions in the law and various capacity-building measures taken, any failure of the police to meet these mandatory requirements may not bode well for the administration of criminal justice in the country, especially in the context of women’s safety, “he said.
The government order comes as the Uttar Pradesh government faces criticism from opposition parties and activists for its allegedly shoddy investigation into the alleged gang rape and death of a 19-year-old girl in Hathras.
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