The Punjab and Haryana High Court’s decision to formulate comprehensive guidelines to check increasing cases of child molestation in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh is heartening. The ruling by a Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Mukul Mudgal and Justice Jasbir Singh in response to a public interest litigation is worthy of appreciation because it comes in the backdrop of the Ruchika molestation case. Unable to face the humiliation and torture of her family by former Haryana DGP S.P.S. Rathore, 14-year-old Ruchika committed suicide. After 19 years of trial, Rathore got away with a punishment of six months jail. Keeping the Rathore episode in view, the Bench has decided that while framing the guidelines, it will examine the procedure to be adopted when senior police officers are accused in such cases.
Significantly, the Bench will consider the procedure adopted by the state governments not only in promoting such tainted police officers but also of recommending conferment of honour on them. Aptly, the Union Government had stripped Rathore of his police medal. The surmise is that when the guidelines are ready, these will help authorities to tackle child molestation cases effectively. They are also expected to act as a deterrent because today officers of Rathore’s ilk do not have the fear of law.Tough enforcement of laws and exemplary punishment of the guilty, however high and powerful they may be, has become imperative today because India has the dubious distinction of having the world’s largest number of sexually abused children. Prevention of sexual abuse of children can be focused at three levels. At the primary level, the focus can be on removing the causes, strengthening the child’s competence to recognise and react, increasing parental awareness, strengthening social vigilance and bringing in a strong punitive policy. At the secondary level, the emphasis should be on early detection, quick intervention and provision of a supportive environment in schools and families. Finally, tertiary intervention should involve effective coordination among the police, courts, counsellors, doctors and social workers.
Source: The Tribune, Chandigarh, India.
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