Taking serious note of the gruesome gang-rape of a para-medic in a moving bus in Delhi, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has convened a meeting on December 27 to discuss the issue.

The meeting would deliberate on issues concerning incidents of rape, the changes, if any, to be made to the statute and the suggestions for the Government, the Committee’s Chairman M. Venkaiah Naidu told presspersons here today.

The Police Commissioner of Delhi and the Union Home Secretary would also attend the meeting, he said.

The standing committee comprises 30 members representing various political parties.

“All members, cutting across party lines, expressed concern when this issue was discussed in Parliament. There are four important issues. There is a need to sensitise the police system to take expeditious action on these issues. Political will and administrative preparedness are necessary,” he said.

The panel would also discuss changes to be made to the laws and the suggestions that can be made to the Government, Naidu said.

“Some changes need to be made in the laws as well. Fast track courts should be set up and the Evidence Act can be changed. There is a suggestion that an in-camera trial should be conducted in such cases. Also, there is an opinion that the death sentence should be awarded to the convicts. We will take the views of officials and give our recommendations to the Government,” he said.

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