Gang-rape case: Retd HC judge led panel to suggest ways to better security for women

New Delhi, Dec 25 (PTI) A former judge of the Delhi High Court is likely to head the panel to review responses to the December 16 gangrape incident and suggest measures to improve the safety and security of women in the capital.

Highly-placed sources in the government said retired judge of the Delhi High Court, Justice Usha Mehra, will look at the security aspect and probe whether the incident could have been prevented.

"A notification in this regard is likely to come out soon," the sources told PTI here.

Last week, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had said the government will set up a Commission of Inquiry under the Commissions of Inquiry Act 1952 to review responses to the crime and to suggest measures to improve the safety and security of women in the capital.

The sources said earlier the government had wanted the Justice Verma Committee to club the investigation of the incident with its mandate to recommend changes in laws relating to crime against women.

But when the Verma Committee expressed reservations in clubbing the two responsibilities, government decided to set up a fresh panel to look specifically into the gangrape incident and related issues.

The committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J S Verma has been mandated to submit its recommendations to the government in the next 30 days.

The gangrape and vicious assault on the victim in a moving bus on December 16 in the capital has sparked country-wide outrage and a string of protests in the city.

The protesters have demanded severe punishment for the guilty and fast-tracking cases of crimes against women.

The Delhi High Court has said it will set up five fast track courts in the capital to hear cases of crimes against women.

Shinde has said that police will seek day-to-day hearing of the Delhi gangrape case.