Increasing number of offences against women & children are a reflection of society & a matter of concern for everyone, said Justice Revati Mohite-Dere of the Bombay HC on Thursday.
She delivered a lecture at the Govt Law College on 'Law relating to offences against women & Pocso'. Observing that the increase in crimes against women & children is "phenomenal", the judge detailed the 2013 amendments following the Nirbhaya incident, mainly to the Indian Penal Code, that made various acts & behaviour an offence.
She explained provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso), penalties & the role of child-friendly courts.
The judge recollected that when she had bail assignment "every 3rd matter was a case of sexual offence", whether against a woman or a child. "The offences that are there are a reflection of our society in a way ... of what is happening. Offences against women & children are so many that you see these days that its a matter of concern for everyone. At the end of it, we may have legislations, we may have acts. But what is most important, that I feel, is changing our mindsets. Till we change our mindsets with regard to how you look at a woman, how you treat a woman, how you look at a child, how you treat a child, it will only be that you'll be arresting somebody or prosecuting somebody," Justice Mohite-Dere said.
The judge has scripted important judgments, including the 'Right to Pee' for women who are outdoors & the entry of women in the inner sanctum of the Haji Ali dargah. She was public prosecutor in the confirmation of death penalty to two in the Pune BPO rape & murder.
The judge said there had to be "greater awareness" of all laws & legislation for women & children. "There is so much you (law students) can do to educate people on different laws & the kind of punishment entailed," she said, adding that children & women need to be made aware of their rights.
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