Kejriwal demands death penalty for rape of minors
New Delhi, April 15: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday demanded death penalty for those raping minors and also blasted the BJP for defending its MLA accused of raping a teenager in Uttar Pradesh.
While visiting the Rajghat where Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) Chairperson Swati Maliwal's fast on the same issue entered the third day, Kejriwal said his government was ready to make amendments to the existing law to ensure death penalty to rapists of minors.
He urged the Delhi High Court to inform his government about the number of fast-track courts, judges and money needed for the purpose.
"As soon as the Delhi High Court tells us, we will provide the money. We want women to remain safe in Delhi."
Maliwal launched her protest on Friday in the wake of the horrific rape incidents in Unnao in Uttar Pradesh, for which a BJP MLA has been detained, and in Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir where a girl was abducted, gang-raped and murdered.
Kejriwal said Maliwal wanted death penalty for rapists of minors and that their trial should get over in six months.
"In the next Delhi Assembly session we will bring amendments to the IPC and CrPC that in case of rape of a minor, the rapist must get death penalty and the trial should be completed within six months.
"In the last three years, the Delhi Assembly has brought many legislation but the Centre has not cleared a single of them."
Kejriwal said he came to Rajghat to promote the safety of women in Delhi and elsewhere in the country.
"There should be a system so that nobody dares to rape. I came here to demand a system which ensures women's safety."
He applauded Maliwal for her hunger strike. "I am not here to support her. She is fighting for our safety."
He slammed the Central and Uttar Pradesh governments and police for trying to protect the MLA accused of raping a girl in Unnao.
"What message are we giving to the people? If a BJP MLA or supporter rapes, nothing will happen to him. The whole BJP party, from top to bottom, and whole machinery will protect that person," Kejriwal said.
"In Jammu and Kashmir, an eight-year-old girl was gang-raped inside a temple. They (BJP) say they are Hindus. They are a shame on Hinduism. The rapists have defiled the temple," he added.
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Adequate LPG stock in Chhattisgarh, no need to panic, says CM Sai
Raipur (PTI): Amid reports of shortage of commercial LPG cylinder in several parts of the country due to the US-Israel-Iran conflict, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Tuesday assured people that they need not worry about the availability of cooking gas in the state.
He asserted that adequate stock of LPG as well as petrol and diesel was available in the state.
Sai said in a statement that authorities have been directed to regularly monitor stock at gas agencies and keep a close watch on the supply chain. Necessary instructions were issued to officials in all districts to ensure a smooth supply of LPG.
The chief minister instructed officials to take strict action if any complaint of black marketing or hoarding of LPG cylinders is received.
Sai urged state residents not to pay attention to rumours and to book cooking gas cylinders as per their actual requirement.
The government was fully alert to ensure the availability of essential commodities to citizens, he emphasised.
Meanwhile, the Chhattisgarh Hotel and Restaurant Association has issued an advisory to hotels, restaurants, caterers and other food businesses across the state, urging them to maintain calm and avoid panic buying.
In the advisory, Taranjeet Singh Hora, president of the association, asked members to maintain coordination and immediately inform it about any major disruption in LPG supply.
He cautioned businesses against hoarding cylinders, saying such practices could worsen the situation for the entire hospitality sector.
The association advised hotels and restaurants to prioritise essential kitchen operations, core menu items and already committed banquet events.
Use electric cooking equipment wherever possible for emergency and staff kitchens such as induction cooktops, electric hot plates, electric rice cookers and kettles, the advisory stated.
