New step proposed for women’s safety

* Home ministry proposes special police units to
probe crimes against women

New Delhi, The Centre has proposed to set up 150 special investigative units on a pilot basis, in some of the most crime-prone districts in the country to probe grievous offences against women, particularly rape, dowry harassments, acid attacks and human trafficking.

As part of the new initiative, the Home Ministry has proposed to set up investigative units on crimes against women (IUCAW) in 20 per cent districts of each State on a 50:50 cost sharing basis with the States.

In a letter to Chief Ministers, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that there is a need to strengthen various elements of the criminal justice system, namely, investigation, prosecution and trials by Courts to deal with the issue of rise of crimes against women.

The Union Home Minister said the objective of these units will be to investigate cases referred to them, augment the investigative machinery of the States in relation to the heinous crimes against women, especially rape, dowry death, acid attack and human trafficking.

The units will also instill confidence and encourage women to come forward and lodge their complaint and improve the gender ratio in the State police forces which is adversely impacting effective implementation of the legislations relating to women.

Besides, these units will have the additional functionality of proactive policing, intelligence gathering, tackling organised crime, monitoring proper implementation of the legislative provisions, helping awareness generation and promotion of social participation in checking crimes against women, an official statement said.

The Ministry has proposed to set up 150 such IUCAWs units initially on a pilot basis in most crime-prone districts of each State.

Each IUCAW will be headed by an officer of the rank of Additional Superintendent of Police assisted by two DSPs.

Out of the total 2,250 personnel required for the 150 IUCAWs, 750 will be women.

This will involve a total expenditure of Rs 84 crore annually, out of which Rs 42 crore will be provided by the Centre.