Lok Sabha Question No. 1704 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-02
Subject: Special Police Officials
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: D.K. Suresh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1704

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 02 nd  JULY, 2019/ ASHADHA 11, 1941 (SAKA)

SPECIAL POLICE OFFICIALS

1704.

SHRI D.K.SURESH:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  proposal  to  depute  special  police officials to probe cases of atrocities against women;

- (b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the details of measures to ensure expeditious investigation of cases relating to atrocities against women?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a)  to  (c):  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  under  the  Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India. The State Governments are competent to take measures for expeditious investigation of cases of atrocities against women including by deputing special police officers.

However,  Government  had  enacted  the  Criminal  Law  (Amendment),  Act 2013 for effective legal deterrence against sexual offences, which inter-alia provided for mandatory filing of FIR in cases of sexual offences. Further, the recently enacted Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 makes it mandatory for completion of investigation within 2 months. In order to facilitate States/UTs, MHA has  launched  an  online  analytic  tool  for  police  on  19 th   February  2019 called  'Investigation  Tracking  System  for  Sexual  Offences'  to  monitor  and track  time-bound  investigation  in  sexual  assault  cases  in  accordance  with Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2018.

## LS.US.Q.NO.1704 FOR 02.07.2019

To  improve  investigations,  MHA  has  taken  steps  to  strengthen  DNA analysis  units  in  Central  and  State  Forensic  Science  Laboratories.  This includes setting up of a State-of-the-Art DNA Analysis Unit inCentral Forensic Science  Laboratory, Chandigarh.  MHA  has  also  sanctioned  setting-up  and upgrading of DNA Analysis units in State Forensic Science Laboratories in 13 States/ UTs.

MHA  has  also  notified  guidelines  for  collection  of  forensic  evidence  in sexual  assault  cases  and  the  standard  composition  in  a  sexual  assault evidence collection kit. To facilitate adequate capacity in manpower, training and skill building programs for Investigation Officers, Prosecution Officers and Medical Officers have commenced. 3221 Officers have already been trained by Bureau of Police Research and Development(BPR&D) and LokNayakJayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science in collection, handling and transportation of forensic evidence as on 28.06.2019. BPR&D has distributed 3,120 Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kits to States/ UTs as orientation kit as part of training.

MHA  has  also  issued  advisories  to  all  State  Governments/UTs,  advising them to ensure thorough investigation, conducting of medical examination of rape  victims  without  delay  and  for  increasing  gender  sensitivity  in  Police. These advisories are available at www.mha.gov.in.

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