DCW chief Swati Maliwal faints while on indefinite hunger strike, rushed to LNJP hospital

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal on Sunday fell unconscious while on an indefinite hunger strike demanding the death penalty for convicts in rape cases within six months. She was rushed to the Lok Narayan Jai Prakash Narayan (LNJP) Hospital after she fainted. According to updates, Maliwal was put on intravenous (IV) at the hospital, due to her medical condition.

The DCW chief has been protesting against the incidents of sexual assault on women across the country. In context to this, she wrote a letter to the Prime Minister on Saturday "seeking immediate action of certain specific demands", including the implementation of the Andhra Pradesh government's 'Disha Bill' across the country.

Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chief, Swati Maliwal who is on a hunger strike demanding death penalty for convicts in rape cases within 6 months, taken to LNJP hospital after she falls unconscious. #Delhi (file pic) pic.twitter.com/BnsRpd2X3E

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2019

Delhi: Delhi Commission of Women (DCW) Chief Swati Maliwal put on IV (intravenous) at LNJP hospital, after being on hunger strike for more than 10 days, demanding death penalty for convicts in rape cases within 6 months. https://t.co/gFAtESeQ1m pic.twitter.com/3gQSXM354n

— ANI (@ANI) December 15, 2019

In a historic move, the Andhra Pradesh legislative assembly on Friday passed "AP Disha Act 2019" to protect women and children in sexual offences cases by providing speedy investigation and justice to victims. Also known as the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2019, the bill provides for expediting the verdict in trials on rape and gang rape cases and also awarding death penalty within 21 days.

Maliwal has been on an indefinite hunger strike for 13 days seeking a 'fixed framework for punishment to rapists' and speedy deliverance of justice of a similar kind.