New Delhi, Dec 22: Taking note of the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in south Delhi Sunday night which has evoked a huge public outcry, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has summoned Home Secretary R.K. Singh and Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar Dec 27.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Venkaiah Naidu will hear Singh and Kumar on atrocities against women and the law and order situation in the capital amid growing protests across the country over the brutal gang-rape of the woman who is battling for life in a Delhi hospital.
The meeting would deliberate on issues concerning incidents of rape and any changes to be made to the statute.
The committee would take views of officials on suggestions including setting up fast-track courts, in camera trial and death sentences to convicts and give its recommendations to the government.
Delhi Police has faced flak for the law and order situation in the capital. However, the home secretary Friday defended it, saying it has done outstanding work in catching the rapists.
BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi condemned the use of teargas shells and water cannons on the protesters saying that the "police was only adding fuel to fire."
"In my view, the government is treating the entire crisis very insensitively and casually. Ministers travel in bus thinking that criminals will again travel in bus. They have a casual approach", said Naqvi
Describing the nationwide protests as "spontaneous outrage", Naqvi said, this was expression of people's anger to a barbaric act, and the government should tackle the situation in a sensitive manner.
Minister of state for Home R P N Singh said, it was really regretful but if students break barricades, then police will have to take action.
He however denied use of batons to disperse the students.
"The government has already listened to the demands of the students, and we again promise to give the most stringent punishment to the rapists", said Singh.
Delhi Safdarjang Hospital medical superintendent Dr B D Athani said the gangrape victim's condition has slightly improved but there are some areas of concern.
The medical superintendent said, there has been rise in bilirubin from 5.1 to 5.9, platelet count was low at 20,000 and the Total Leucocytes Count was also low. The WBC count is at 2600, better than yesterday, he added.
One of the doctors said, the patient is now speaking, and asking for water in her own voice. "We are giving antibiotics to stop infection spreading in her body", he added.
A team of psychologists who analysed the girl's behavious said, the victim was "psychologically composed, optimistic and bravehearted. There is no disappointment in her mental outlook."
BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad demanded that the Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi should themselves speak out to the students who are anguished over the gangrape incident.
"Without any political interference, thousands of students, all college and school going boys and girls, have been protesting. The young are feeling insecured. PM ought to have spoken to the sudents. The whole handling is deeply regrettable and condemnable", said Prasad.
"We find the Congress and the police patting their own backs. So far the police action has been weak. The main question is: Is Delhi safe? Are the women, the children safe?", asked Prasad.
