MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government will propose making the sexual harassment and molestation of women non-bailable offences in the state, it is reliably learnt. The "crucial" decision was taken at a meeting chaired by home minister R R Patil in Mantralaya on Wednesday, where ways to reduce crimes against women were discussed. Home officials said proposals to amend sections 354 (assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty) and 509 (outraging the modesty of a woman by word or gesture) of the Indian Penal Code would be tabled in the budget session of the state legislature, which commences in March.
At present, sections 354 and 509 are bailable offences. Shiv Sena MLC Neelam Gorhe alleged that the state was not doing enough to ensure the safety of women. "Now, since the government is talking about introducing stringent amendments to the law, we hope they complete all the necessary procedures and place the amendments before the next session of the assembly," she said. In July 2011, the state decided to ask the Centre to amend the two sections. But the home department did not receive the necessary response from the Centre. Sixteen months later, the public outcry after the Delhi gangrape has led to the Democratic Front (DF) government proposing changes at the state level.
The Bombay high court recently suggested that the state should not wait for Parliament to amend laws and bring about changes. While hearing a PIL filed by Help Mumbai Foundation on the safety of women in suburban trains, a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Anoop Mohta told the state to follow in the footsteps of Tamil Nadu, which recently put in place an anti-sexual harassment law.
The Mantralaya meeting was attended by former Bombay high court judge C S Dharmadhikari, NCP MP Supriya Sule, principal secretary (home) Medha Gadgil, senior IPS officers Meera Borwankar and Deven Bharti, superintendent of police (highway security) Rashmi Karandikar, retired IAS officer Chandra Iyengar and home department officials.
It was also discussed whether mercy should be denied to convicts given life terms for crimes against women, especially in rape cases. "The participants were of the opinion that facilities like parole and furlough should not be given to those convicted for crimes against women," said a senior home department official.
The official added, "At the meting, the home minister assured that, while recruiting for the police, the department would try to reserve 30% posts for women." The participants discussed several other measures, including setting up a separate investigation wing to probe crimes against women.
While addressing the press at a private function in Mumbai, Sule admitted that the Centre and state are falling short of measures to ensure women's safety. "But the Union and state governments are making serious efforts to tackle the issue," she said.
PROTECTING WOMEN
PROPOSALS
Section 354 of Indian Penal Code: Assaulting a woman to outrage her modesty Section 509: Outraging modesty of a woman by word or gesture Sections are bailable; government is proposing to make them non-bailable
UNDER DISCUSSION
Refusing mercy to those serving life terms for crimes against women, especially rape. This means they won't be able to avail of parole or furlough
Maharashtra proposes to make sexual harassment non-bailable
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Maharashtra proposes to make sexual harassment non-bailable
