The law is not equal be you so high or low. Besides the State is using draconian laws like UAPA and premier agencies like CBI, ED, Narcotic Bureau etc in what should be police investigations against those who dissent with government or in cases like Sushant Singh suicide. The root causes of Mauism and naxalism are not addressed and iron hand attitude perpetuates violence.
Mehbooba Mufti continues to be under house arrest for more than a year. It is reported that the MP High Court has revoked the midnight detention and NSA slapped on four youths from Raigarh with costs of Rs 10,000 per case on the state government for incorrect statement regarding detention order stating "Preventive detention involves serious encroachment on the right of personal liberty. It is the solemn duty of the Court to ensure the power is exercized strictly in accordance with the requirements of the Constitution and the law".
In a rape case it is reported that the HC in Goa has acquitted an accused arrested in Feb 2013 after 7 years in jail. There are many such cases of acquittal, with no compensation or attempt to investigate and penalize those responsible for wrongly taking away 7 years of a persons life. Nowadays nobody seems to trust the police and everyone wants a court supervised CBI probe. How will the rising crimes against women, the NRCB statistics say 87 cases/day, be effectively handled? The Home Ministry has now issued an advisory after the Hathras incident and hopefully all State governments will strictly follow it.
There are already enough laws but until vital police reforms, religion and caste prejudices are not stamped out, the prospect seems bleak. Non-violence and truth have become rare commodities.
JOHN ERIC GOMES, Porvorim
