Third Interim Report of the Dharmadhikari Panel

'Put curbs on Facebook, mobiles to protect girls'

ByRosy Sequeira, TNN | Feb 22, 2013 (Source: The Times of India)

The Dharmadhikari panel, in its third interim report to the state government, has suggested placing restrictions on social networking sites as they "corrupt adolescents".

A copy of the January 16, 2013, report with 31 recommendations was submitted to a Bombay high court division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Anoop Mohta on Thursday. The committee, headed by retired high court judge Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari, was constituted by the government to recommend measures to curb atrocities against women.

The panel, interestingly, has recommended enlisting men who train at akhadas and gymnasiums for protection of women. "This needs to be given a serious thought,'' it said.

The report, in Marathi, says there should be restrictions on "networking, Facebook, mobile phone and vulgar and indecent conversations and exchange of pictures". This trend has increased among adolescents, which has been revealed by a recent survey, the report said. Another measure to ensure women's safety, it said, would be to publish and upload on websites the names and details of people convicted by courts for atrocities on women.

It suggested putting up such details on an independent website and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. "This is mainly to create awareness and prohibit such crimes," the panel said.

The Dharmadhikari committee also recommended the prosecution of those who witness atrocities but do nothing. The report said some people do not even inform the police on helplines and remain mute spectators, which helps the criminal. "Just being a mute spectator is a crime. Such persons should be considered as accused and similar provisions should be in the law to consider them as so. It seems that crimes take place due to silent consent of such people,'' it said. The report stated that the Constitution mentions that it is the duty of every Indian to protect women. It recommended amending section 39 (public to give information of certain offences) of the CrPC and sections 177 (furnishing false information) and 202 (intentional omission to give information by person bound to inform) of the IPC.

Also suggested was a ban on advertisements depicting women indecently. "Western countries have started the depiction of men also in advertisments. In our country, this has started,'' it stated. The law against obscene depiction of women was created to curb the practice. "It is for this reason this law must be implemented and further amendments must be made if required,'' the committee recommended.

The committee suggested setting up of an independent authority to see that laws are strictly implemented and has referred to the Chief Justice of India's comment that had the law on tinted glasses been followed, the Delhi rape case would have been avoided.

Among other recommendations are amending the law to make stalking and blackmailing serious offences in line with that done in US, and certain states like Tamil Nadu and Orissa. It suggested thought be giving to one-sided talaaq, as expressed by the Supreme Court. It also felt political parties should not give tickets to candidates involved in offences against women.