Ensure Strict Police Action In Crimes Against Women: Centre To States

New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry on Saturday issued an advisory to all states and union territories to ensure strict action by police in crimes against women.

The three-page advisory came days after the alleged gang-rape and murder of a 19-year-old Dalit girl at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh sparked nationwide outrage.

The home ministry said there should be compulsory registration of an FIR in case of a cognisable offence under the CrPC, news agency PTI reported.

The law also enables the police to register an FIR or a “Zero FIR” in case the crime is committed outside the jurisdiction of a police station, in the event of receipt of information on commission of a cognisable offence, which includes cases of sexual assault on women, the ministry said.

“However, even with stringent provisions in law and several capacity building measures undertaken, any failure of police to adhere to these mandatory requirements may not augur well for the delivery of criminal justice in the country, especially in the context of women safety,” the advisory said.

“Such lapses, if noticed, need to be investigated into and stringent action taken immediately against the concerned officers responsible for the same,” it added.