By IANS,
Bangalore: Karnataka Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje Wednesday sought castration of rapists and stringent punishment for crimes against women by amending the laws.
In a letter to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, Karandlaje, the lone woman cabinet minister, sought amendment to the laws, including the Karnataka Police Act, so that these could work as a deterrent against perpetrating crimes such as rape, dowry harassment and honour killing.
“Though 15 cases of alleged rapes were reported during the last two months across the state, there were reports that police had refused to register some of them under pressure, while some of the accused were being protected by their well-connected people,” Karandlaje said in her letter.
Seeking empowerment of women with the right to lodge a complaint on crimes against them with instructions to police for speedy investigation, the minister said it was the duty of the government to ensure safety and security of women.
“Victims of sexual assault should be legally entitled to fair compensation and 50 percent of property from the accused,” the letter suggested.
The minister also favoured installing CCTV cameras in all police stations and creating a separate cell to register complaints and record the statement of rape victims in all police stations.