Changing laws to punish guilty: Defensive Mayawati on rapes

Pilloried by the opposition over a spate of rape incidents in Uttar Pradesh, chief minister Mayawati today announced that the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) will be amended to complete trials in six months in such cases, make the offences non-bailable and provide harsher punishment to the guilty.

Rattled by the opposition onslaught on her government less than a year before the assembly polls, Mayawati also said she has called a high-level meet of state officials on June 27 to work out strategies. She called the proposed amendments to the CrPC "important".

"Keeping in view incidents of rape and other crimes against women, my government has decided to effect some important amendments in the CrPC," Mayawati told reporters in Lucknow.

The BSP chief said section 437 and 439 of the CrPC would be amended to ensure that the trial is completed within six months and cases of assault made non-bailable.

"Provision will be made that the accused does not get bail till the time he is proved innocent," she said.

Mayawati said that an ordinance to this effect was being forwarded to the governor.

She said the June 27 meeting will be attended by top police and administrative officers.

"I myself will chair the meeting...directives will be issued to launch a month-long campaign at all police stations," she said.

The chief minister alleged a conspiracy by the opposition parties to defame the government in some cases.

She also alleged that an effort is being made to create a picture that maximum crime against women were takig place in UP, which is "baseless".