Deterrent laws needed to deal with rape cases: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday said "deterrent laws" should be put in place and trial period shortened for swift justice in rape cases.

Describing as "shocking" the gang-rape of a 23-year-old para-medical student in New Delhi, which has evoked a national outrage, she called for a quick trial to ensure justice.

"It is a shocking crime and there is no doubt that deterrent laws should be put in place and the period of trial and investigation be shortened so that justice is meted out swiftly," she said, adding, this would be a deterrent in future.

She told reporters on her return from Ahmedabad where she attended the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as Chief Minister of Gujarat, that the police in the state were acting immediately on complaints of rape.