Delay in Ruchika's case is unpardonable: Moily

With the Ruchika molestation case causing uproar, Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily on Friday said the Government has decided to "fast track" cases relating to women, including those involving rape, molestation and dowry.

"At the National Consultation on Judicial Reforms held recently, the government and the judiciary have decided to prioritise and classify cases related to women, children and the disabled...classification is an important component of the programme," he said.

He said classification and prioritisation would ensure that such cases are "fast tracked" in courts.

He said a "blueprint" on legal reforms approved by the Union cabinet has mentioned classification of cases for early disposal.

"Otherwise also, cases pending for 15 years or more will be reduced to 3 years and that will be achievable from here within 3 years. All cases pending in courts after January 1, 2010 will be treated as arrears," the minister said adding, a policy could be announced in a fortnight.

Moily said the delay in delivery of justice in the Ruchika molestation case was "atrocious".

"Ruchika's case is atrocious and delay is unpardonable," he said.

He said the government needed to look into and "revisit" the entire provisions of law so that higher punishment is provided in cases like one that led to the suicide of Ruchika.

Noting that the Ruchika case was "telling" upon and reflecting upon the judiciary itself, Moily said "that is why we are interested in it".

Asked whether there was a possibility of reopening the case, Moily said the matter would be looked into and that he had had a discussion with the Solicitor General of India and the Central Bureau of Investigation also.

"All steps will be taken to take this matter forward," he said.

As Haryana politicians have made allegations and counter allegations on the Ruchika case and promotions were given to the accused, former director general of police S P S Rathore, the law minister said he did not want politics to come into it and was looking at the entire matter "absolutely on merit" and also with a view to ensure rule of law in the country.

Moily said the government was setting into process a system to remove gender bias in laws of the country.

He said on atrocities on women, particularly domestic violence and rape, the government will revisit provisions of law to ensure that there are proper laws so that people will not take liberty to get into these type of offences.

Asked about the possibility of the Ruchika case being re-opened, Moily said, "I don't know whether there is a possibility."

On stripping Rathore of President's Police Medal awarded to him, Moily was non-committal.

"I am not in a position to comment on it", he said.

Chautala said he, as chief minister, did not recommend Rathore for President's medal and that his name was forwarded for the award as part of a routine bureaucratic process.

Unhappy with the lighter sentence, Girhotra said Rathore should be punished for abetment to suicide under Section 305 of the Indian Penal Code, which entails death penalty, life imprisonment or a jail term up to 10 years.

Image: Union Law Minister M Veerappa Moily