MHA issues advisory to states on crimes against women; Check the details here

New Delhi: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an advisory to states and Union Territories to deal with rising instances of crimes against women. Any failure on the state police's part to adhere to the laid-down rules "does not augur well for the delivery of justice", the MHA said in its Saturday notification.

The MHA's advisory comes amid nationwide outrage over the death of a 19-year-old Dalit woman in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, after four men brutally raped and tortured her. She passed away in New Delhi on September 29.

The Home Ministry's Women Safety Division has highlighted three key sections of the Code of Criminal Procedure that deal with compulsory registration of FIR, completion of investigation in relation to rape within 60 days, and a mandatory medical examination with the consent of the individual by a qualified medical professional within 24 hours of receipt of information.

The Ministry has also urged the states to ensure that police file a Zero FIR in case the crime against a woman was committed outside the jurisdiction of the police station.

"It is requested that States/UTs, may suitably issue instructions to all concerned to ensure strict compliance with the provisions in the law... also requested to monitor the cases on ITSSO (The ITSSO is an online portal available to all law enforcement agencies to monitor rape cases) to ensure suitable follow-up action," the notice added.

"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 MHA added, warning of "stringent action" against those who fail to comply with the orders.

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