Delhi gang-rape: Parliamentary panel summons home secretary, police chief

Taking note of the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in south Delhi Sunday night which has evoked a huge public outcry, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has summoned Home Secretary RK Singh and Delhi Police commissioner Neeraj Kumar December 27.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Venkaiah Naidu will hear Singh and Kumar on atrocities against women and the law and order situation in the capital amid growing protests across the country over the brutal gang-rape of the woman who is battling for life in a Delhi hospital.

The meeting would deliberate on issues concerning incidents of rape and any changes to be made to the statute. The committee would take views of officials on suggestions including setting up fast-track courts, in camera trial and death sentences to convicts and give its recommendations to the government.

Delhi Police has faced flak for the law and order situation in the capital. However, the home secretary Friday defended it, saying it has done outstanding work in catching the rapists.