R R Patil supports capital punishment for rapists

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said that he supports the demand to award capital punishment to rapists.

Replying to a debate on atrocities against women, Patil termed the Delhi gangrape incident as deplorable, and sought the highest possible punishment to the accused.

The view was earlier expressed by women legislators in the Legislative Council on Thursday.

He said the state government has written to the Centre about making the offence of molestation non-bailable.

"We had also suggested changes in the Evidence Act and Indian Penal Code to plug the loopholes," he said.

A detailed proposal has already been sent to the Centre seeking enhancement in punishment for atrocities committed against women, he said.

Patil claimed that Maharashtra is far safer for women and cited statistics to support his claim.

Earlier, Women and Child Development Minister Varsha Gaikwad announced that all colleges will now have a women's welfare cell, on lines of the anti-ragging cell. Such cells were set-up by Mumbai University to tackle complaints about harassment of girl students.

The ministers were participating in a debate in the Legislative Council about rising atrocities against women.

Patil said CCTV network will be installed in public places so that investigating agencies can track down culprits and use the evidence effectively.

Also, orders have been issued to the police to videograph dying declarations of women.

On demand for special courts, Patil said 12 fast-track courts are already functioning in the state. A time-bound programme will be drawn up by the home department to appoint more such courts, he said.