Tamil Nadu government is now talking about faster prosecution in sexual crimes against women and children,and honestly,this is one area where delay itself becomes another punishment for survivors . So this move around Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) does feel important,but also raises same old question of why system needed so much time to reach here.
Advocate General Vijay Narayan told Madras High Court that state is working on improving infrastructure needed for quicker investigation and trials . This came during hearing on writ petition filed by rape survivor,and whole discussion seems to have exposed one major weak point in system .
And that weak point is forensic delay .
Narayan pointed out that many such cases get stuck because forensic science reports take time,especially when regional forensic laboratories do not have enough DNA testing facilities . In sexual offense cases,this is not small thing ah,because police investigation and court process both can slow down badly because of this one gap.
Government now plans to upgrade these facilities so police investigations can finish on time and trials can move faster . On paper,it sounds like basic thing which should have already existed,but at same time,better late than never.
Few things standing out clearly here:
- Tamil Nadu government is formulating Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for prosecution in sexual crime cases.
- Regional forensic laboratories may get better DNA testing capabilities to reduce delays.
- Advocate General Vijay Narayan urged Madras High Court to sensitize judicial officers about daily trials.
This whole discussion also came in backdrop of case involving a 26-year-old survivor who was allegedly raped by two policemen . Charges have been framed and trial is set to commence soon,which makes court’s focus on speed even more serious .
Narayan also said judicial officers should be sensitized about conducting these trials on daily basis,and trying to complete them within two months as stipulated by law . And honestly,if law already says two months,then survivors should not be waiting endlessly because reports,dates and procedures keep dragging .
But implementation is main thing only . SOP sounds good,upgraded labs sound good,daily trials sound good… still everything depends on whether police,forensic labs and courts actually move together without usual delay.
For survivors,trust in justice system is built not by announcements,but by what happens after FIR,after medical exam,after forensic report,after charges are framed . Tamil Nadu is saying right things rn,but whether this becomes real relief on ground or just another file in system… that question is still hanging…
