The Madras High Court has directed the state to submit details of the measures in place to battle against stalking and crimes of passion..The direction stemmed from a PIL, heard by the First Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, highlighting the grievousness of the problem..Advocate A Suryaprakasam was prompted to file the petition following reports of stalking related violence taking place across the state. He has made particular reference to violence meted out recently against 21-year-old engineer Induja, who was doused in petrol and burned to death in her Adambakkam apartment by a spurned former classmate. Her mother and sister were also grievously injured in attempts to save her..Emphasising that a woman has the right to choose her own suitor, the petitioner has condemned such violent acts of male chauvinism aimed against women who dare to stand up for themselves..It has been submitted that victims of such violence are eligible for medical and other assistance on par with those available to acid victims as laid down by the Supreme Court. Referring to the 2015 Supreme Court order regarding acid victims, the petitioner has contended that,.“…there is no difference between the victim of acid attack and victim of burn injuries caused by these Neo Romeos…” .The petition makes note that such perpetrators are able to take law into their hands because they are aware that the police are awfully incompetent and unwilling to come to the rescue of victims. As a result, such vicious attacks on women are not being taken up by the authorities with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserves..In these circumstances, it has been prayed that appropriate compensation be expeditiously granted to the victims of such violence, and that their medical expenses be met free of cost by the state..It has also been prayed that the concerned police authorities take appropriate measures to address the mounting issue. Further, specially trained women officers, not below the rank of Inspector, must be appointed in each police station to make personal visits to investigate complaints of stalking/eve-teasing..Moreover, it has been recommended that the progress of such cases be directly monitored by the Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police on a weekly review basis..The case has been posted for hearing next on January 5, 2018..Read copy of PIL filed below.
The Madras High Court has directed the state to submit details of the measures in place to battle against stalking and crimes of passion..The direction stemmed from a PIL, heard by the First Bench of Chief Justice Indira Banerjee and Justice M Sundar, highlighting the grievousness of the problem..Advocate A Suryaprakasam was prompted to file the petition following reports of stalking related violence taking place across the state. He has made particular reference to violence meted out recently against 21-year-old engineer Induja, who was doused in petrol and burned to death in her Adambakkam apartment by a spurned former classmate. Her mother and sister were also grievously injured in attempts to save her..Emphasising that a woman has the right to choose her own suitor, the petitioner has condemned such violent acts of male chauvinism aimed against women who dare to stand up for themselves..It has been submitted that victims of such violence are eligible for medical and other assistance on par with those available to acid victims as laid down by the Supreme Court. Referring to the 2015 Supreme Court order regarding acid victims, the petitioner has contended that,.“…there is no difference between the victim of acid attack and victim of burn injuries caused by these Neo Romeos…” .The petition makes note that such perpetrators are able to take law into their hands because they are aware that the police are awfully incompetent and unwilling to come to the rescue of victims. As a result, such vicious attacks on women are not being taken up by the authorities with the seriousness and sensitivity it deserves..In these circumstances, it has been prayed that appropriate compensation be expeditiously granted to the victims of such violence, and that their medical expenses be met free of cost by the state..It has also been prayed that the concerned police authorities take appropriate measures to address the mounting issue. Further, specially trained women officers, not below the rank of Inspector, must be appointed in each police station to make personal visits to investigate complaints of stalking/eve-teasing..Moreover, it has been recommended that the progress of such cases be directly monitored by the Commissioner of Police and Superintendent of Police on a weekly review basis..The case has been posted for hearing next on January 5, 2018..Read copy of PIL filed below.
