Maneka Gandhi asks states, union territories to retrain police officers on sexual offences

New Delhi: Maneka Gandhi, the Union Minister for Women and Child Development, has asked the heads of government of states and union territories to retrain police officers on various aspects of sexual offences, in the wake of Kathwa rape-murder incident.

In a letter addressed to chief ministers and lieutenant governors of all the states and union territories, Gandhi outlined various steps which governments can take in this direction. These include: retraining cops on collecting and preserving evidence in cases of sexual assault; instructing cops to give priority to cases about sexual offences against children according to the timelines of law; taking strict action against those police officers who are found to be obstructing the investigation or colluding with the perpetrators of such cases; and forming a special cell only for sexual offences or specially for sexual offences on children.

Gandhi also noted that a quick investigation is the only way a potential offender can be deterred but the states need to take the initiative in this as the police department is a state subject.

Gandhi offered help to state governments to establishing forensic laboratories so that evidence can be collected and analysed properly.

She also requested the states to generate awareness amongst the children about using the e-box set up under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) with child helpline number 1098. The minister also highlighted the fact that till date, 175 One stop centres for women affected by violence have been set up by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.