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Haryana cops’ image takes a beating

I read the editorial, “Rape of justice” (June 11). Sarita’s suicide is yet another case of apathy, torture and high-handedness of our brutal police force. Early this year, a couple of Haryana police personnel allegedly raped a woman near the Chandigarh Raj Bhawan. If one counts the number of police atrocities against hapless citizens, the list will be endless.

The question is whether dismissal of errant policemen is enough. The state government should reform the image and mindset of the police. The Supreme Court’s directives on police reforms are yet to be implemented in letter and spirit. Though Haryana was the first state to pass the Haryana Police Bill, 2007, in consonance with the SC’s directions, it is yet to be implemented.

The present-day police are repressive rather than humane and people-friendly. More often, they are used as henchmen of the ruling elite for their vested interests. Also, Haryana is the only state in the North without a state human rights commission, thanks to the state government’s peculiar stand that as it has enough redressal mechanisms for dealing with cases of violation of human rights, there is no need for a human rights commission. This shameful incident should goad the government to change the image of the Haryana police.

HEMANT KUMAR Advocate, Ambala City

II

The Sarita rape and suicide case in Rohtak has shaken the country’s conscience. Sarita was a brave girl and that’s why she fought valiantly against the policemen’s misconduct and fought for justice. Surprisingly, the IG, the SSP and the DSP didn’t listen to her. They didn’t come to her rescue. She finally went to the DGP. She didn’t get justice even from him. This incident forces us to think about the kind of police administration we have in the state.

The media aptly highlighted the incident following which the government went on the back foot. I am happy that the state government has handed over the case to the CBI. We can hope to get justice now. Every possible step needs to be taken to give the culprits the maximum punishment in accordance with the law.

SANDEEP FOGAAT, Mundhal Kalan (Bhiwani)

III

The cases of rape are on the rise in the country. According to the latest statistics released by the National Crime Records Bureau, every hour 18 women fall victim to this crime. The number of rapes has increased nearly 700 per cent since 1971. It has grown from seven rapes a day to 53. And these are just the reported cases. The number of unreported cases is far higher. A third of the rapes take place in Delhi. Hyderabad reported 1,755 cases while Madhya Pradesh 2,900 rapes.

It’s shameful that the conviction rate of rapists has always remained abysmal largely because of the complex criminal justice procedures that are often extremely harrowing for the women who have been attacked and an investigate machinery that is lack a lackadaisical and corrupt. Ensuring swift justice for rape and tougher punishment to the guilty will help us fight the crime boldly.

Section 376 of the IPC which provides for seven years of rigorous imprisonment for rape (10 when victims are minors) needs to be amended. It’s only death to the rapists which can guard women against this most brutal aggressive on their body.

S. S. JAIN, Chandigarh

IV

What a shame that even after 61 years of Independence, a helpless woman is forced to commit suicide after being raped by the so-called protectors of law. We need to blame ourselves for the sorry state of affairs.

For us, it is just a news item and nothing more. Why are the intellectuals not coming forward and build a country where no one dies of cruelty, where the women are given due respect and honour and where no one dies of starvation?

Dr NARESH RAJ, Patiala

Security: then and now In 1952, a civil airfield was taken over by the Indian Air Force in Assam. The IAF authorities subsequently decided to prevent unauthorised entry into the airfield. Once the security stopped a gentleman at the entry. Asked about his identity and purpose of entry, he shouted at them and said that he was a Member of Parliament and that he had the authority to enter any premises. The security contacted me. I told the MP that the security had the right to stop him since he refused to inform them the purpose of his visit. Dubbing this as an insult, he wired Prime Minister Nehru and Defence Minister Baldev Singh about the “humiliation” caused to him. I reported the matter to the Headquarters. The Chief of Air Staff, an Englishman, summoned me to Delhi. Incidentally, Parliament was in session and the MP concerned raised this question in the House. The Prime Minister politely told the MP to help the IAF perform its duties effectively. Compare this incident with the recent spat between a West Bengal MP and the DIG, CRPF, during the panchayat elections. The DIG was performing his duty and the Sealdah MP was creating hurdles in his work. The incident involving an Air India pilot and an MP from Kerala also falls in the same category. Air Marshal P. K. JAIN (retd), Chandigarh