Plan to put rape convicts' names online awaits nod

The Haryana government is yet to approve the plan to put names of those convicted of rape, molestation and other crimes against women online.

The proposal came from the State Crime Record Bureau (SCRB) director Laik Ram Dabas last week amid the nationwide clamour for public condemnation of such offenders. People across the country raised concerns over women safety after the brutal gangrape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus in Delhi on December 16.

Dabas had announced that the name of the convicts will be flashed on SCRB's official website from January 10, but on Thursday, he said that the proposal was yet to be approved by the government.

According to Haryana director general of police SN Vashisht, the SCRB chief was just suggesting a measure to curb crime against women. "We are examining the suggestion as it involves legal issues. Before implementing the plan, we will have to make sure that the idea is legally feasible," the DGP said.

Dabas, however, said that his department has prepared the database of about 6,000 convicts, which can be uploaded on SCRB website www.scrbhelpline.com.

The website would have all details, including names and addresses of those found guilty by courts in the cases of rape, molestation, dowry death and eve teasing. However, no photograph or sketch of such individuals would be made public.

Dabas said that the SCRB has decided to hold awareness campaigns pan-Haryana with the help of a team of 10 women cops.