Details
Raju Vernekar
vernekar.raj@gmail.com
Noted social activist and anti-graft crusader Anna Hazare has asked the Maharashtra Government to withdraw Z plus security provided to him in view of the “unsafe” women and growing criminal incidents against them in the country
“In a letter sent to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Friday he has stated that the security cover to him was a waste of public money. Instead of him, the women need better security since they are vulnerable and continue to be victim of the incidents like rape despite existence of different laws.”
““I reside in a temple and living life like a sage. Why do I need security ? Anna has stated and added that the security given to him, won’t be able to prevent his death if it were to happen. He says the arrangement is a burden on the state exchequer too. “Before this, I had written to the state government at least four times telling them that I don’t need police protection. But instead of withdrawing it, the government is increasing it”, he has written in the letter.”
“The 80 year old veteran is on “ maun vrat (fasting into silence) from 20 December onwards at his native Ralegan Siddhi village in Ahmednagar (Maharashtra), as a protest against delay in awarding punishment to the accused convicted in Delhi “Nirbhaya” gang rape case (16 December 2012). He began his agitation after he reportedly did not receive response to the letters written by him to the prime minister and the President of India on 9 December and 10 December respectively.”
“He has vowed to continue the agitation till such time the Nirbhaya case accused are hanged. The 4 accused in this case are yet to be sent to gallows even after they were convicted 7 years ago and the “death penalty” was awarded to them. If the accused are not hanged immediately, I will start indefinite hunger strike”, he had said before beginning his agitation. Similarly, the two accused convicted for the rape and murder of the victim Jyoti Kumari Choudhary in Pune on November 1, 2007 are also remain to be hanged”.”
“Anna has complained to the prime minister and the President that no rapist has been hanged since August 14,2005, and 426 convicts are on death row. Besides, nearly 6 lakh cases are pending in fast track courts all over the country. If the cases remain unresolved in the fast track courts too, then what is the use of setting up such courts ? he asked.”
” “Whole country rejoiced after 4 accused involved in the rape and death of the 27 year old veterinary doctor Priyanka Reddy in Telangana, were killed by police in an encounter on 6 December, because people’s faith in judiciary has been eroding”, Anna said.”
” The rules related to police investigation are not followed properly. There are number of unfilled posts of judges and the litigations have been piled up through out the country. This emboldens the criminals. “The Union Government is responsible for keeping the posts unfilled which leads to delay in justice”, he said.”
“He also said that the Union Government is yet to reintroduce the “Judicial Standards and Accountability Bill 2010”, passed by Lok Sabha on 29.03.2012 but it could not be taken up for discussion in the Rajya Sabha since Parliament was adjourned. The bill lapsed after dissolution of the 15th Lok Sabha. Subsequently the department of justice said that there was no proposal to bring the fresh Bill.”
“The bill calls upon judges to follow certain standards of conduct and any violation of these standards could lead to complaints to a “National Judicial Standards Oversight Committee”. It also seeks to make it mandatory for them to declare their assets and liabilities and that of their spouses and children. As of now the procedure for complaints against judges of the Supreme Court and High Court is governed by the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968 under which only an MP can make such complaints through a motion presented in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha.”
“In the meanwhile despite Anna continuing the agitation, no Maharashtra minister has called upon him to inquire about his well being. Earlier respective state governments used to take immediate cognizance of his agitations. It may be recalled that Anna had stirred the country by his agitation at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi to demand introduction of the Jan Lokpal Bill in April 2011. Subsequently the bill was passed and the “Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act 2013” was passed by the then UPA Government.”
