Chandigarh, June 8: Expressing concern over delay in trial of rape cases, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Saturday urged the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court Krishna Murari to put in place a fast track trial mechanism, and also advise the subordinate courts, under his jurisdiction, to complete trial of such cases speedily.

In a letter to the Chief Justice that comes a couple of days after the Sangrur police filed the chargsheet in the Dhuri’s minor’s rape case within seven days of the incident, Captain Amarinder said speedy trials were essential to ensure that all culprits in such cases are brought to justice at the earliest possible.

 Captain Amarinder Singh

Captain Amarinder drew the attention of the Chief Justice towards amended provisions of Section 173 (1-A) of Criminal Procedure Code, wherein a time limit has been prescribed for investigation of the cases registered under Sections 376, 376-A, 376-B, 376-C, 376-D, 376-DA, 376-DB and 376-E of the Indian Penal Code.

The State Police had been time and again directed to ensure that investigation of cases involving such crimes, are completed within the prescribed limit, he wrote. However, he said, it had been observed that even though investigation of such cases is completed on time, trial by the courts of competent jurisdiction takes much longer than the desired time. 

“Since delayed justice to the victims hurts the common man, it is felt that trial of such cases, particularly those involving rapes, should be expedited without any further delay,” said the Chief Minister.