Changes in criminal code offer relief to rape victims

NEW DELHI - Completing rape case trials in two months, getting women judges to hear rape cases as far as practicable and recording victims’ statements at places of their choice… these are some of the amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) that the government brought into force Thursday.

The statement of a victim of rape shall be recorded at her residence and, as far as practicable, by a woman police officer in the presence of the victim’s parents or guardian, or a social worker,” the home ministry said in a statement following the union cabinet’s approval.

Some other amendments provide for laying down procedures for arresting women and also stipulating that an arrested person be examined immediately by a medical officer.

The changes in the CrPC also provide safeguards in the case of an enquiry against a person of unsound mind and incorporates a new Section 357A that obliges every state government to prepare a scheme for providing funds to compensate the victim of a crime or his or her dependents.

The ministry pointed out that three provisions were not being notified for the present.

These are Sections 5, 6 and 21(b) of the amended act and relate to the power of a police officer to make an arrest and the power of the court to grant or refuse adjournments.

Representations were received against these provisions. Hence, they were referred to the Law Commission, the statement added.