The report of a joint select committee of 21 parties, which studied the Shakti Bill, was presented in the Assembly on Monday to demand the harshest punishment for those who commit crimes against women.
The bill called for the formation of a special police team by the state government to investigate the offenses specified.
As per the clause, each such team was to be headed by an officer of the rank of Deputy Superintendent with at least one woman officer or personnel member.
The Joint Select Committee in its report has recommended that in case of specified offences, a complaint should be lodged with the concerned police station having jurisdiction over the area. However, when there is confusion over jurisdiction, the committee suggested that the state should constitute a district or commissioner-specific special police team or additional team, which would be headed by an officer of the rank of deputy superintendent.
Such teams should also have a woman police constable or personnel. It said that crime branch officers should be given priority in such teams. The commissioner or superintendent of police will entrust the investigation to such teams depending on the sensitivity and seriousness of the case.
Also, the Bill sought to appoint only Special Public Prosecutors to try such cases. But the Committee has recommended that one or more Additional Public Prosecutors may also be appointed along with the Special Public Prosecutors.