Breaking the gloomy and dark atmosphere of increasing crimes against women hovering over our society, a bright silver lining has appeared with the concerns shown by every stakeholders committed for the rights of the women. Even new legislations passed in the last few years definitely deter the perpetrators and make life safer for women.
However, the question remains about the fate of those unfortunate victims who had been offended against before these laws became stringent? Were the accused and perpetrators of those crimes to be tried under the lax laws of those times? Why shouldn’t the cases which are still in progress, irrespective of the period in which they were committedbe tried under the new law? And why was the document provided by the high school of the minor accused in the Delhi rape case that triggered the chain of reactions and agitations which ultimately led to the amendments of the existing rape laws in the country, given preference over a medical test as a proof of his age?
Questions that still needs answered in clear and concise terms- a habit alien to those responsible who are used to stressing inane and incoherent aural mutterings asresponses to issues they are incapable of or are unwilling to deal with. There was no dearth of laws to deal with any form of crime or offence in the country to begin with. Judges have been empowered to exercise their judicial knowledge in awarding penalties and sentences within the limits laid down for each section for which the crimes are tried for. They are at liberty to award the harshest punishment permissible for crimes against women – and had they done so consistently , the collective outburst the nation demanded for a change in the laws would have rather been for the speedy and fair implementation and delivery of justice instead, which will be the focus the society and the nation needs to turn on because, after the laws have been amended to everyone’s satisfaction, as if that is possible and done, what of the other arms of the law that is to ensure it’s execution and upkeep? Is a very strict law the only criteria required for a safer society?
One hope not- the mind performs through the arms- the judiciary and the executive powers bestowed on the courts of law, the police and the army are to be exercised in the right manner and with due diligence in order for the laws to benefit the general public for which they are framed. Only a well co-ordinated and concerted legal system could ensure a free and ideal society.
Imphal Times Editorial
