Apex court to hear PILs on speedy trial of rape cases

Agreeing to examine the issue of providing safety to women and putting an end to gender discrimination, the Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notices to the Centre and all states and also decided to hear another plea for creating fast-track courts for the speedy trial of all rape cases.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir will hear on Thursday the PIL seeking establishment of fast-track courts for the trial of rape cases and suspension of Members of Parliament and Members of Legislative Assembly who have been charge-sheeted for crimes against women.

Meanwhile, another bench of Justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi issued notices to the Centre and all the states and sought their responses to another PIL by advocate Mukul Kumar, seeking safety measures for women.

Kumar, in his PIL, demanded creation of women police stations in every town to investigate complaints of rape and sexual assault against women and implementation of the United Nations Convention on elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.

The court has asked the Centre and the states to file their replies within four weeks.

In the backdrop of the nation-wide outrage over the brutal gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi, who died in a Singapore hospital on December 29, a bench headed by Justice Altamas Kabir agreed to hear the PIL on Thursday.

The PIL had been filed by retired IAS officer Promilla Shanker for setting up fast track courts across the country for speedy trial of rape cases.

Promilla, in her petition, also demanded that cases of rape and crimes against women and children should be investigated by lady police officials and the trial should be conducted by lady judges.