Seven special courts to handle cases of sexual crimes against women in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: CM MK Stalin, during his reply to Governor RN Ravi’s address in the Assembly on Saturday, announced the government will set up seven special courts in Madurai, Tirunelveli, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruchy, Chennai, and its surrounding areas to specifically handle cases of sexual crimes against women and to ensure speedy trials.

To further strengthen measures to tackle crimes against women, he also said that special committees will be formed under an official in the rank of additional superintendent of police in all districts to expedite the completion of investigation and trial.

Moreover, he said the rules of Tamil Nadu Prisons department will be amended suitably to prevent those convicted in sexual crimes from being eligible for early release. The announcements came after the government introduced two bills in the Assembly to increase the punishment for different kinds of crimes against women. The bills were passed on Saturday. The move came in the backdrop of the recent sexual assault of a student inside Anna University.