NE NEWS SERVICE
RAJAHMUNDRY, FEB 8
With a view to give iron hand to deal cases on crime against women and render speedy justice, Andhra government has given a shape by inaugurating the first Disha Police Station at Nannayya University on Saturday. The station was inaugurated by the Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
Earlier, the Chief Minister launched a specially prepared App for the safety and protection of women and children. Speaking on the occasion, he said he was very proud to launch the first Disha Police Station in the state.
He said the Disha incident in Hyderabad was a reminder to all that a girl child can’t travel safely on the streets in the night.
The Chief Minister said, “We have seen Nirbhaya Act which was brought about as a consequence of a heinous crime against a girl. However, the perpetrators of the crime have not been punished even after eight years of trial. Hence to change the situation, Disha Act was enacted which is the first of its kind in the history of our country, where an entire investigation completes within 7 days and trial within 14 days in cases where substantial conclusive evidence is available.
As per Section 354 E, which has been inserted in the Indian Penal Code, for harassing women through digital mode and social media a punishment of imprisonment extending up to two years will be given on first conviction. On Second conviction, imprisonment extending up to four years will be given. As per Section 354 F, punishment in cases of sexual assault on children will be ranging from 10 to 14 years of imprisonment. Death penalty has been prescribed as a punishment in cases of all heinous offences of rape where adequate conclusive evidence is there.
The Chief Minister said as the subject is in the concurrent list, it has been sent to the Centre for Presidential assent. It is presently with the Home Ministry, and with God’s grace, I sincerely wish that the Bill will be passed soon. Whatever was possible within the state government’s limits has been done, he said. As part of the Act, Disha Women Police Stations are being set up in all 18 police units, one each in each Police district and headed by an office in the rank of DSP. These police stations will be equipped with facilities for women and children like crèche, waiting halls, counselling rooms, baby care rooms etc.
For the first time in the country has value protected videography will be done in cases to strengthen the evidentiary value during trial. An exclusive control room to handle calls from women in distress will be set up, which will also be able to track the nearest emergency response vehicle and automatically dispatch it to the location of the victim and act quickly.
The state is equipped with two forensic labs one in Visakhapatnam and other in Tirupati. To these, a few more Disha Forensic Science Labs will be established with most advanced DNA equipment, Serology/Biology Equipment and cyber forensic tools.
13 special courts being established
In all, 13 exclusive courts one in each district are also being set up to exclusively handle cases relating to crimes against women and children. Special Public Prosecutors will also be appointed for these courts to ensure better conviction, which also enables to strengthen the current system by four times. Moreover, 13 One-stop centres are operational in the State for providing integrated set of services to victims and survivors of sexual violence, where each centre will have a staff of 19 people consisting of legal experts, case workers and counsellors working 24X7. These centres will act as the first point of contact to victims for assisting in medical examination, facilitation in recording of statement and FIR, legal aid, social- psychological counselling and victim compensation.
Through the Disha App, one can just alert by just shaking their phone when in distress and unable to operate the phone, SOS will be sent to the Disha Control Room as well as their family members. Location of the caller as well as audio and video of 10 secs during the call will also be sent to the Disha Control Room to assess the situation for appropriate response.
Appeal in all cases of rape shall be disposed of within a period of 45 days. With a budget of Rs 25.7 Crores, 13 special courts will be set up in the State. With a budget of Rs 1.65 Crore, 13 special prosecutor posts will be filled. Rs 21.10 Crore has been allocated for Disha women police stations, Rs 31.37 Crore for forensic labs and Rs 7.265 Crore for the maintenance of Disha App and call centre.
