Delhi gangrape: Parl panel to meet on Dec 27

Taking serious note of the gruesome gang-rape of a para-medic in a moving bus at Delhi, the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs has convened a meeting on December 27 to discuss the issue.

The meeting would deliberate on issues concerning the incidents of rape, the changes, if any, to be made to the statute and the suggestions for the government, committee's chairman M Venkaiah Naidu told reporters in Hyderabad on Friday.

The police commissioner of Delhi and the Union home secretary would also attend the meeting, he said.

The standing committee comprises 30 members representing various political parties.

"All members, cutting across party lines, expressed concern when this issue was discussed in Parliament. There are four important issues. There is a need to sensitise police system to take expeditious action on these issues. Political will and administrative preparedness is necessary," he said.

The panel would also discuss the changes to be made to the laws and the suggestions that can be made to the government, Naidu said.

"Some changes need to be made in the laws as well. Fast track courts should be set up and Evidence Act can be changed. There is a suggestion that in-camera trial should be conducted in such cases. Also, there is a opinion that death sentence should be awarded to the convicts. We will take the views of officials and give our recommendations to the government," he said.