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National News
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| Centre says all Police officers should be re-trained on various aspects of sexual offences | | | | New Delhi 19 April (Agencies)
The Centre has said, all Police officers should be re-trained on various aspects of sexual offences particularly those related to collection and preservation of evidence.
In her letter to Chief Ministers of States and Union Territories, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi have highlighted necessary steps for dealing with sexual offences.
She said instructions may be issued to all police officers that utmost priority is to be given to complete the investigation of cases of sexual offences against children strictly as per the timelines of Law.
Ms Gandhi said State Governments must take strict action against those police officers who are found to be obstructing the investigation or colluding with the perpetrators of such cases.
She said a quick and timely professional investigation is the only method in which a potential offender can be deterred but this can be done only by the states as the police department is the state subject.
The Minister said, forming a special cell only for sexual offences or especially for sexual offences on children, would be a significant step in this regard. Ms Gandhi has offered help to State Governments in establishing Forensic Laboratories in states which can be used for forensic analysis of evidence in the investigation of sexual offences.
The Minister has requested the states to generate awareness among the children in using the e-box set up under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, POCSO Act with child-help line number 1098.
The letter also stressed that Section 21 of the POCSO Act may be invoked in all cases wherever failure to report or record is noted. Section 21 states that any officer who fails to report or record the commission of an offence under section 19 and 20 of the Act is liable for punishment.
Ms Gandhi said till date 175 One-stop centres for women affected by violence have been set up by her Ministry. One Stop Centres are to help those women who have no access to either police or medical facilities or are not able to visit a police station in times of distress. | | | | |
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