Maharashtra government today told the Bombay High Court that it has formed a task force, headed by secretary of the home department, to study the recommendations made by a commttee to prevent crimes against women.
Some of the recommendations of Justice (retd) C S Dharmadhikari committee, which were accepted by the government, would require amendments to existing laws and for this purpose the task force has been formed to study and offer suggestions, the government said in an affidavit filed before the division bench headed by Justice Abhay Oka.
The committee has suggested that stalking and black-mailing be made criminal offences. To implement it, existing laws would need amendment, said Deputy Secretary Shivaji Patankar in the affidavit.
The affidavit said the recommendations regarding blocking of websites with obscene content has been accepted and circulars are being issued to all police stations.
Students from foreign countries are being watched for possible indulgence in anti-social habits, it said.
Rape victims will be provided free medical aid, it added, as per the committee's recommendation.
The government has also constituted a state-level Cable Television Monitoring Committee and 33 sub-committees at the district level to prohibit airing of obscene TV content.
The state has also accepted the recommendation to fast- track the cases pertaining to atrocities on mentally- handicapped women and children.
As to better policing, the state said it has already included the study of laws relating to crimes against women in basic training course for police personnel.
