CHANDIGARH: The callous approach of UT police in dealing with crimes against women was evident following the reply of an RTI query, which revealed that in seven rape cases, the statements of victims were recorded by male police officers instead of female personnel. Six rape cases were registered in the past six months, and the Chandigarh Police has failed to take any action against the policemen who violated the recommendations of Justice JS Verma Committee, set up after the infamous Delhi gang rape in December 2012.

The reply to the RTI query filed by advocate HC Arora revealed that sub-inspectors Dharamvir Singh, Devinder Pal Singh, Ravi Kishore, Sher Singh, Dharampal, and Ramesh Kumar recorded the statements of rape victims. The seven rape cases were registered at the Mani Majra and Industrial Area police stations in the east division of Chandigarh Police between February 3 and July 31. Sources said male police officers were allowed to record the statements of victims, despite the presence of female cops in the respective police stations. The sources also claimed that apart from these rape cases, there are a plethora of sexual harassment cases being investigated by male policemen. The Justice Verma Committee had ruled that statements of sexual harassment victims would only be recorded by women cops, and violating cops would be liable for prosecution under Section 166A of IPC. The recommendations of the committee came in force in the country on February 3. Advocate Arora said he had sought details of all rape cases registered after February 3 at 11 police stations, but the police only provided details from three stations.