New Delhi, Jan 5: Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit has said that the decision to airlift the 23-year-old gangrape victim to a Singapore hospital was not taken by her, but by the doctors.
Dikshit was replying to questions in Rajat Sharma's show Aap Ki Adalat on India TV to be telecast tonight.
The chief minister said, "the victim was critical right from the beginning. It's true, when I first met the girl, I had promised that, if required, she would be sent abroad for treatment. The doctors found the girl suffering from gangrene and jaundice, and they then decided to send her to Singapore."
Asked why the victim's body was brought in the dead of night to Delhi and cremated in a hush-hush manner, Dikshit replied: "There was a possibility of people exploding in anger, and it was a precautionary step (Logon mein gussa-aakrosh paida hone ka khatra tha, isliye ehtiyaati kadam uthane pade)".
"I think those in charge of law and order evaluated the situation and decided to cremate her in a manner so that violence should not break out. Whatever done was with the concurrence of the victims' parents", Dikshit said.
Asked what was her personal view about the punishment to be meted out to the accused, the chief minister said: "As Sheila Dikshit, I would like the harshest punishment (kadi se kadi sazaa) for them, so that nobody has the courage to repeat such an act. This should be an example for others."
The chief minister said, three previous committees, led by Balakrishnan, Ved Prakash and Moily, had recommended that the capital's police should be brought under the Delhi government.
"I believe that law and order should be under the state government so that it could be made accountable. The people cannot meet the Lt. Governor or the Home Minister or the Home Secretary, whereas we as people's representatives are easily accessible. At the moment, I am helpless."
Asked whether her voice was not being heard at the Centre, Dikshit replied in the negative.
"It was because of me that fast track courts are now being set up. We had cleared it in October. We have also launched the 181 helpline for women. We have also asked police to cut down on VIP security. We have demanded that more PCR vans should be seen on the roads", said Dikshit.
"The long-term solution is more effective policing, so that people can have faith in the police. It's not that such acts take place in buses and vehicles. Nearly 5-7 years ago, a female doctor(of Maulana Azad Medical College) was gangraped at Khooni Darwaza at 3:30 pm. We have to guard everything", said the chief minister.
On the Dec 16 gangrape incident, Dikshit said, "As chief minister, I feel terribly ashamed. It was an inhuman and horrible act. I feel as sad as others. I also have daughters and grand daughters. I may be the chief minister, but I am a human being and a mother too."
The chief minister disapproved use of water cannons and lathicharge during the India Gate protests.
"There was no need. When police, which does not work under my orders, used water cannons in front of my house, I stopped them, and asked them to allow protesters to meet me. I told the protesters to send in their views to Justice Verma committee on the quantum of punishment for sexual offenders."
Aap Ki Adalat with Sheila Dikshit will be telecast on India TV tonight (Sat Jan5 ) at 10 pm and tomorrow (Sun Jan 6 at 10 am and 10 pm).
