The recent tragic case of a rape and murder of a young doctor in Kolkata has ignited a significant public outcry, reminiscent of the outrage that followed the 2012 <keyword id="19901153" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="nirbhaya" source="keywords">Nirbhaya</keyword> case. This incident, which took place at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, has highlighted persistent issues in <keyword id="19996463" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="womens-safety" source="keywords">women's safety</keyword> in India, even in professional environments. In the incident’s aftermath, the government has since announced several measures aimed at improving women's safety. These include the development of a downloadable mobile app with an alarm, improved ratio of male to female security staff at workplaces and night patrolling in medical colleges, hospitals and women’s hostels. Similar steps aimed at improving the security of women are often introduced after such incidents reach the national stage. Let’s look at some of them. <h2><keyword id="20417344" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirbhaya-Fund" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Nirbhaya Fund" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Nirbhaya Fund">Nirbhaya Fund</keyword>, <keyword id="22852372" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="fast-track-courts" source="keywords">fast-track courts</keyword>, <keyword id="22852371" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Disha-Act" source="keywords">Disha Act</keyword> and more</h2>The Nirbhaya incident in 2012 compelled the <keyword id="19909268" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-government" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian government" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian government">Indian government</keyword> to establish the Justice Verma Committee, led by former Chief Justice J.S. Verma. This committee helped amend the Criminal Law Act by 2013, which introduced more stringent penalties for sexual offences, including the death penalty for repeat offenders, and criminalised new offences such as stalking, voyeurism, and acid attacks. The act also mandated faster trials in <keyword id="20840899" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rape-cases" source="keywords">rape cases</keyword> by establishing fast-track courts to ensure that justice was not delayed. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112643793" title="Kolkata doctor rape and murder case: Supreme Court tells CBI to file report by August 22" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Alongside these legal changes, the government created the Nirbhaya Fund in 2013, a dedicated fund aimed at implementing initiatives to enhance women’s safety. This fund has been used to finance various projects, including emergency response systems, installation of CCTV cameras in public places, and the establishment of one-stop centers where survivors of <keyword id="20335626" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sexual-violence" source="keywords">sexual violence</keyword> can access medical, legal, and psychological support. However, the fight against sexual violence in India did not end with the Nirbhaya case. Several other high-profile incidents have since highlighted ongoing challenges and prompted further reforms. In 2018, the Kathua rape case, where an 8-year-old girl was brutally gang-raped and murdered, led to the government amending the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, introducing the death penalty for the rape of children below 12 years of age. The Unnao rape case in 2017, involving a sitting MLA from Uttar Pradesh, underscored the issue of political influence in crimes against women. The victim and her family faced harassment and threats, which highlighted the need for better protection for victims and witnesses in such cases. The MLA was eventually convicted in 2019, and the case led to increased calls for accountability and transparency in handling cases involving powerful individuals. Another case that shook the nation was the Hyderabad rape and murder case in 2019. The brutal killing of a young veterinary doctor led to widespread protests, and the subsequent killing of the accused in a police encounter sparked debates about the effectiveness of the legal system and the public's demand for swift justice. In response, the Andhra Pradesh government introduced the Disha Act, which mandates that investigations in rape cases be completed within seven working days, with trials conducted in fast-track courts and judgments delivered within 21 days. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112644728" title="Bengal in state of flux, people lost faith in present government: Governor CV Ananda Bose" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>These incidents have driven significant changes in policing and the judicial system. The government expanded the number of fast-track courts to handle sexual violence cases and improved forensic infrastructure to ensure timely and accurate processing of evidence. Additionally, efforts to make the legal process less traumatic for survivors have included allowing in-camera trials and using video conferencing for testimonies. The government has also expanded the reach of the 181 Women’s Helpline and established more One-Stop Centers (OSCs) across the country. These centers provide integrated services, including medical, legal, and psychological support, to survivors of sexual violence. <h2>Public scrutiny and IMA demands</h2>However, many of these steps have been scrutinised for not being very effective. For instance, as of late 2023, only about 70% of the allocated Nirbhaya Fund has been utilised, with significant amounts directed towards large cities, leaving many areas and initiatives underfunded. Moreover, compensation schemes for victims often face delays, further highlighting the gaps in the system. In response to the recent Kolkata case, there have been calls from various quarters, including the <keyword id="20083252" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Medical-Association" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Indian Medical Association" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Indian Medical Association">Indian Medical Association</keyword> (IMA), for more stringent actions and reforms. The IMA has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure swift justice and better protection for women, especially in professional spaces like hospitals. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="112645938" title="Kolkata rape and murder case: Health Ministry writes to heads of Central Govt hospitals to enhance security" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>Some of the demands by the IMA include the amendment of a Central Act to better protect healthcare workers, enhancing hospital security to airport levels, improved working conditions and faster investigations in such cases. The Board has also sought for an “appropriate and dignified” compensation for the rape victim’s family. This ongoing situation underscores the need for a more robust and effective system to protect women and deliver justice in India. Despite legal reforms and financial allocations, the rising number of sexual violence cases suggests that more needs to be done at the ground level to ensure the safety and dignity of women across the country.

Nirbhaya Fund to Disha Act: What changes has the Indian govt implemented in response to major rape cases in the past?

New Delhi, Feb 1 () The Delhi Police has been allocated Rs 8,644.12 crore in the Union Budget for financial year 2021-22, even as around Rs 10 crore has been set aside for Nirbhaya Fund. According to a police statement, out of the total budget, Rs 8,100.20 crore has been embarked for establishment-related expenditure. A sum of Rs 237.92 crore shall be incurred for upgradation and expansion of communication infrastructure, modernisation of equipment, installation of traffic signals, upgradation of training and procurement of vehicles for policing. It also stated that Rs 306 crore shall be spent exclusively for police infrastructure for construction of office buildings, residential buildings and development of new police headquarters building. A total of Rs 10.14 crore has been allocated separately under the scheme for safety of women (financed from Nirbhaya Fund) in addition to the allocation for construction of building for SPUWAC (Special Police Unit for Women and Children) or SPUNER (Special Police Unit for North Eastern Region), and various other activities for awareness and gender sensitisation, the statement mentioned. AMP SRY

Delhi Police gets Rs 8,644.12 crore in Budget; Rs 10 crore for Nirbhaya Fund

<ul><li>Death warrants have been issued against the four convicted in the <keyword id="1510957" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirbhaya-rape-case">Nirbhaya rape case</keyword>.</li><li>Their executions have been scheduled on January 22 at 7 am. </li><li>Nirbhaya’s mother believes this judgement will restore the faith of women in the judicial system.</li></ul>Delhi’s Patiala House Court today issued death warrants against the four convicted in the Nirbhaya rape case, seven years after the crime shook the nation. Originally, the police arrested six individuals in connection with the case. One of the assailants, Ram Singh allegedly committed suicide in jail. Another, a juvenile, was released from a reformation home after serving a three-year term. The remaining four — Akshay, Mukesh, Pawan Gupta and Vinay Sharma — will be executed on January 22 at 7 am in Jail Cell 3 in Tihar Jail. The same place where Afzal Guru, the terrorist behind India’s Parliamentary attack, was hanged. “The order will restore the faith of women in law,” Nirbhaya's mother, Asha Devi, told reporters outside the courthouse. "I am happy with the court's decision. The convicts will be hanged at 7 am on 22nd January; This decision will instil fear in people who commit such crimes," said her father, Badrinath Singh. Preparations for the executions have been well underway for over a month like special ropes are being brought in from Buxar Jail. The gang-rape that led to death In 2012, a 23-year-old paramedical student was gang-raped and brutally assaulted on the intervening night of December 16 inside a moving bus. After the abuse, she was thrown out of the vehicle at an isolated juncture. Though alive, she was brutally wounded. On December 29, she gave in to her injuries and passed way at the Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Thousands of people marched on the street across the country to protest against the judicial system. The case led to the government setting up the Nirbhaya Fund — a ₹10 billion corpus which helps state governments facilitate women safety services. The government also introduced a Nirbhaya Act in April 2013, that mandates strict punishments for sex crimes.

Death warrants issued against Nirbhaya convicts — will be hanged on January 22

<ul><li><keyword id="6354977" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword> of India rejects the review petition of Akshay Singh, one of the four convicts in the Nirbhaya rape and murder case. </li><li>The Supreme Court today upheld the 2017 judgement saying that it found no error in the verdict given by a fast-track court. </li><li> Two years back, four of the six accused in the horrific rape case were sentenced to death. </li></ul> The Supreme Court today upheld the 2017 judgement saying that it found no error in the verdict given by a fast-track court. Two years back, four of the six accused in the horrific rape case were sentenced to death. In a review petition, Akshay Kumar Singh — one of the accused said that no CBI probe was conducted and that the real culprits are still out. He also argued that six people cannot possibly rape a girl in 21 minutes. He also presented a book by Sunil Gupta — that talks about yet another accused Ram Singh’s death in Tihar jail. Ram Singh had committed suicide in jail. One of the bizarre arguments by Akshay Kumar Singh was about Delhi’s bad air quality he said, “People are already dying so why give a death penalty.” The horrific <keyword id="1501541" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirbhaya-case">Nirbhaya case</keyword> In 2012, a 23-year-old paramedical student was gangraped and brutally assaulted on the intervening night of December 16-17 inside a moving bus. Later, she was thrown out at an isolated place by the accused. Due to the brutality inflicted on her, she died on December 29, 2012 at Mount Elizabeth Hospital in Singapore. Police had arrested all the six accused in the case. Ram Singh, one of them allegedly committed suicide in jail. A juvenile who also convicted was released from a reformation home after serving a three-year term. As many cases and petitions were filed after the fast track court verdict. In fact, in 2017, Supreme Court upheld capital punishment and so did the Delhi High Court. Thousands of people marched on the street across the country to protest against the judicial system. The case lead to the government setting up Nirbhaya Fund — a Rs 10 billion corpus which helps state governments facilitate women safety services. The government also introduced a Nirbhaya Act on April 3, 2013 that mandates strict punishments for sex crimes. The government also expanded the definition of rape and involved forced penetration, oral, vaginal or anal, with any foreign object in it. It also recognised stalking and voyeurism as an offence. The law also stated that certain offence will be dealt separately under IPC such as acid attack (Sec 326A), attempt to acid attack (Sec 326B), sexual harassment (Sec 354A), act with intention to disrobe a woman (Sec 354B), voyeurism (Sec 354C), and stalking (Sec 354D). In 2019, two rape cases <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/unnao-rape-case-delhi-high-court-convicts-ex-bjp-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar/articleshow/72751775.cms?utm_source=copy-link&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=Click_through_social_share">shocked the nation when both the victims were burnt to death</a>. The first was the rape and murder of a 27-year old doctor in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/hyderabad-rape-case-accused-shot-dead-in-a-police-encounter/articleshow/72393351.cms">Hyderabad which culminated into an encounter where all the accused were shot by Telangana police</a>. Yet another rape victim of Unnao died a horrific death as the 23 year old girl was stabbed and set on fire as she was on her way to a court hearing. This week, a Delhi Court<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/unnao-rape-case-delhi-high-court-convicts-ex-bjp-mla-kuldeep-singh-sengar/articleshow/72751775.cms?utm_source=copy-link&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=Click_through_social_share"> convicted former BJP MLA Kuldeep Singh Sengar for kidnapping</a> and raping a minor girl in Unnao in 2017. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/hyderabad-rape-case-accused-shot-dead-in-a-police-encounter/articleshow/72393351.cms">Hyderabad rape case accused shot dead in an encounter and magisterial probe is ordered</a>

Nirbhaya case: Supreme Court rejects review petition and upholds death penalty

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/52089083.cms" />After two years, the Indian government is finally acting on installation of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=CCTVs&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">CCTVs</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=gps&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">GPS</a> in <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=public+transport&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">public transport</a> vehicles. 
 
In 2014, the then UPA government had set up a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=nirbhaya+fund&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">Nirbhaya fund</a> for setting up of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/searchresult.cms?query=panic+button&amp;sortorder=effectivedate">panic buttons</a>, CCTV cameras, <keyword id="6362652" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="20" keywordseo="GPS">GPS</keyword> in <keyword id="85028" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="public-transport">public transport</keyword>. But the project couldn’t see light of the day. 
 
Now, the road ministry has issued a draft for installation of the three systems in vehicles having seating capacity of 23 and above. Public transport vehicles having below 23 seats must install vehicle tracking device and emergency button. 
 
The draft stated that the the tracking device, alert button and CCTV surveillance system devices shall be fitted by the manufacturer or the dealer or the respective operators, as the case may be. 
 <keyword id="1577170" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Nirbhaya-fund">Nirbhaya fund</keyword>, which was set up after a 23-year-old woman was brutally gang-raped in a moving bus in Delhi in December 2012, was made to map routes of public vehicles and crack down on any violations. 
 
(Image: Indiatimes)

2 years on, public transport vehicles to be fitted with CCTVs, GPS

A SEBI-like regulatory body is needed for <keyword id="6354632" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="social-media" source="Orion">social media</keyword> platforms to curb growing <keyword id="6064676" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="deepfakes" source="Orion">deepfakes</keyword> and synthetic videos, BJP MP Sushil Kumar Modi demanded in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. Raising the issue through a Zero Hour mention, he said deepfake videos and synthetic videos are threatening democracy in the country. "There is a lot of disinformation... People don't have tools to verify," he said, adding women are soft targets of deepfakes. While an app is in circulation that can generate a nude picture of any fully dressed person, digitally altered faces of celebrities like Shah Rukh Khan are being used to promote betting platforms. "This is a new threat to democracy," Modi said, adding the government should ask social media companies to detect, remove, strengthen reporting and create public awareness about the new phenomenon. "Self regulation for social media is not sufficient. SEBI-like regulatory body needs to be set up for social media platforms," he added. While Anil Baluni of the BJP sought denotification or relaxation of cantonment cover over certain parts of Lansdowne in Uttarakhand for developing tourism, Suluta Deo (BJD) sought better dispersement of the Nirbhaya fund. Vijay Pal Singh Tomar (BJP) wanted the loan limit on Kisan Credit Card be raised to Rs 5 lakh for small and marginal farmers and to Rs 10 lakh for bigger farmers. The limit currently is Rs 3 lakh. Rwngwra Narzary of UPP(L) demanded renaming of Bongaigaon Oil Refinery in Assam to reflect geographical location.

Demand in RS for SEBI-like regulator for social media platforms to check deepfakes

<img class="gwt-Image" src="/photo/51791502.cms" style="width: 800px; height: 600px;" /> Remember the <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Nirbhaya-Juvenile-to-walk-free-on-December-20/articleshow/50182402.cms">Nirbhaya gangrape</a>? It all started with two friends sitting down over drinks. If you revisit and retrace some of the most horrific crimes in our country, you will see an alarming truth emerging-the most gruesome crimes have been committed under the influence of <a href="http://www.businessinsider.in/Over-300-combination-drugs-are-now-banned-in-India/articleshow/51391632.cms">alcohol or drugs</a>. 
 This is not to say that merely drinking caused someone to rape a woman, or kill someone. But the criminal mind who is gripped by the power of <keyword id="14721" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Drugs">drugs</keyword> can do far worse to humanity than he would without being on drug dose. 
Dr Vipul Rastogi, Psychiatrist at Medanta hospital, says such people are usually not in control of their actions. Imagine the eventuality if these people are allowed to roam the streets freely! 
They pose a threat to their own lives, and that’s by choice, but they pose a bigger threat to society. Here’s how: 1) Children, between the age of 16-17 years, using injectible drugs are exposing themselves to a life of crime, antisocial behaviour and severe drug abuse 2) These drugs do not come cheap, so either their parents are giving them lots of money without accounting in their expenditure patterns or worse they are stealing from their own homes to fund their habits, that is going completely unnoticed by their parents/relatives. 3) All these children are appearing for final board exams and with not much regard for them, one wonders what life has in store for them 4) Injectible drug use without proper care or awareness ie – sharing needles can lead to <keyword id="63552" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="HIV/AIDS">HIV/AIDS</keyword>, Hepatitis B, <keyword id="61391" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Hepatitis-C">Hepatitis C</keyword> and other blood-borne infections 5) Faulty use can lead to clotting in blood and can be life threatening because of the clot traveling to the brain, heart and lungs 6) The mental illnesses that can develop because of substance abuse range from minor anxiety, <keyword id="6354802" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="depression">depression</keyword> to severe illnesses like Bipolar Affective Disorder, Schizophrenia, etc. 7) If they are driving under the influence of drugs then they are a risk to other people on the road. 
 
(Image source: riverbankhouse.net)

You Searched For "Nirbhaya Fund" and got 7 results

Nirbhaya Fund to Disha Act: What changes has the Indian govt implemented in response to major rape cases in the past?

Ankush Banerjee

Delhi Police gets Rs 8,644.12 crore in Budget; Rs 10 crore for Nirbhaya Fund

PTI

Death warrants issued against Nirbhaya convicts — will be hanged on January 22

Prabhjote

Preeti

Nirbhaya case: Supreme Court rejects review petition and upholds death penalty

Preeti Soni

2 years on, public transport vehicles to be fitted with CCTVs, GPS

BI India Bureau

Demand in RS for SEBI-like regulator for social media platforms to check deepfakes

PTI

BEWARE: 7 reasons why a drug addict teenager is not just a threat to his own life, but to society!

Anushree Singh