Heat on Delhi police chief as Capital turns ‘Nirbhaya’

Panel To Explore More Stringent Punishment For Rape

New Delhi: Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Sunday gunned for police commissioner Neeraj Kumar's head, seeking his immediate removal besides suspension of some more policemen for dereliction of duty. 
    "Dikshit placed her demand before home minister Sushilkumar Shinde and sought fixing of responsibility at senior levels when she met him after holding her Cabinet meeting over the rape incident," a top government source said. 
    However, a section within the government ruled out Kumar's removal as it would demoralize the police force which has been trying to defuse the crisis. 
    They, however,did not rule out the possibility of taking action against some senior policemen. Dikshit's demand came on a day when several policemen were seriously injured while battling protesters. One constable is in critical condition. 
    Asked about Kumar's fate, Dikshit told reporters, "I am not someone who is to take the decision." She, however, emphasized that removing one or two constables would not instil confidence. 
    The highest officer in charge of the area where the incident took place should be held responsible to restore public confidence, she said. 
    The police commissioner, on his part, ruled out resigning over the gangrape. "I don't believe in quitting. I am not a quitter," Kumar told a TV channel, emphasizing that he will continue in his job as long as he is asked to. 
    Besides demanding Kumar's transfer, Dikshit also sought immediate setting up of fast-track courts to try rape cases with provisions in law even for death penalty in rare cases like the one that shocked the Capital and called for a "serious look" at VIP security deployment in the city, saying it cannot be an "excuse" for not providing security to the common man. 
    She said her government would urge the Delhi high court chief justice for immediate setting up of fast-track courts to try rape cases and to get justice in a time-bound manner. 
    The Centre, meanwhile, set up a three-member committee — comprising former CJI J S Verma, Justice (retired) Lalita Seth and former solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam — to examine the possibility of enhancing punishment for rape and give its recommendation within 30 days. 
    The panel will also inquire into how such an incident happened and why it could not be prevented and what measures should be taken in Delhi and the rest of the country to improve the safety of women. It will also look into whether there were any lapses. 
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