Mumbai (Maharashtra),
Sept 30: Maharashtra government on Tuesday announced that it has plans to bring
in Shakti Act soon that will be similar to the Disha Act as implemented in
Andhra Pradesh to curb crimes against women and children
The home minister of
the state Dilip Walse Patil made this announcement after holding a meeting with
the state police and experts. He said that the state has recently witnessed a steep rise in rape cases, and therefore, the government has decided to enact
the Shakti Act framed on the lines of the Disha Act that has already been put
in place in Andhra Pradesh to tackle crimes against women and children.
“The state is taking a
slew of measures to curb crime against women. The government will soon
implement the Shakti Act,” the minister said.
The statement of the
minister assumes significance at a time when the government's emphasis is on
the early enactment of this act. This has also been referred to the joint
selection committee. Besides, the BJP is stepping up its attack against the MVA
government over the rising rape cases and crimes against women. The Shakti Act
will provide speedy investigations and will fast-track trials in rape cases.
Experts in the home
department in the state said that the law has proposed stringent punishment,
including the death penalty and hefty fines. Also, the establishment of special police
teams and special courts will be implemented to carry out probes and trials.
Once found guilty, the
accused will be sentenced to life imprisonment. The act proposes a compensation
amount of Rs 10 lakh to acid attack victims for plastic surgery and facial
reconstruction. The investigation will be completed within a period of 15
working days from the date of registration of an offence. This can be extended
by another seven days, they said.
An officer in the home
department said the trial will be conducted on a day-to-day basis after a charge sheet is filed. It will be completed within 30 working days.