Title - New law soon to ensure women's safety, privacy

Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan has promised to bring in a new law that will ensure the safety of women and protect their privacy.In an article released here for publication on Saturday, Mr. Radhakrishnan said he proposed to hold discussions with all sections of civil society, particularly women, before drafting the Bill for the proposed law. He has convened a special conference to discuss the draft Bill on June 6.The Minister said the new law would have provisions that would make intrusions into women's privacy in educational institutions, religious places, bus stops, roadside, railway stations, cinema theatres, parks, beaches, festival venues, and in cyber space punishable. The intrusions include taking photographs or video shoots of women in public places and propagating them through mobiles and other devises.The law would put the burden of preventing such actions on the persons who are in charge of such public places. It would be the responsibility of such authorities to report any such violations or crimes against women. Any lapse in taking action would be made liable for punishment.He said that in the event of crimes taking place in buses and other public utilities, it would be the responsibility of the workers to immediately produce the vehicle at the nearest police station. Failure to take action and report to the police would be considered a crime. Similarly, heads of educational institutions would have the powers to ban the electronic gadgets that could be used for crimes against women. The law would also make possession of photographs and video clips that violate the modesty of women and children a crime.

The proposed law would also redefine unnatural death of women who have been found to be molested, raped or harassed under section 354, 376, 294, or 509 of the Indian Penal Code. There is a general view that such deaths should be considered as death due to harassment. The Minister invited the civil society to participate in the debate in order to help the government prepare a model Bill.

The public can register their opinions by sending email to igpcrimes@keralapolice.gov.in

He hoped that on the basis of the general debate on the issue the government would be able to bring in comprehensive law that would address the concern of an average parent about the safety of their adolescent daughters. The new law should also be able to ensure social security to women and young girls, besides putting down the dangerous trends and networks that are shaping up in our times.