Bangalore :

Former law minister MC Nanaiah is likely to head the expert committee to suggest measures for safety of women and children.

Several rapes in the state, especially in Bangalore, prompted the government to constitute the committee comprising legislators, representatives of social organizations, women and children’s organizations and legal experts.

“The official notification will be issued in a day or two. The panel will have eminent persons,” home minister KJ George told TOI.

This apart, for the first time, the term “rapist” will be incorporated in The Karnataka Prevention of Dangerous Activities of Bootleggers, Drug Offenders, Gamblers, Goondas, Immoral Traffic Offenders and Slum Grabbers Act, 1985, commonly known as the Goonda Act.

The amendments to the Goonda Act would be introduced in the ongoing session of legislature. Though sexual offences are not covered under the act in its present form, the six accused in the gang-rape of a law student on the Jnanabharathi campus in October 2012 were booked under the Goonda Act. Normally, repeat offenders in crimes are included under the Goonda Act, but amendments to the act will include first-time rape offenders.

Persons booked under the Goonda Act can be detained for one year without trial.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> City> Bangalore / July 25th, 2014