Andhra govt to ask for fast-track court to try 2 sensational rape cases

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh government has said it will write to the High Court for setting up a fast-track court to hear two recent sensational rape cases in the state.

State Home Minister Vangalapudi Anitha noted that Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu took this decision to ensure that the accused persons in the alleged incidents of rape occurred in Sathya Sai and Bapatla districts were punished as soon as possible.

On October 12, a gang of five thieves including three minors, raped a woman and her daughter-in-law in Chilamathur mandal of Sri Sathyasai district, it is alleged. In a previous incident, 21-year-old woman was allegedly raped and murdered at Epurupalem village in Bapatla district, in June.

Anitha said these two cases will be handed over to the fast-track court and it will send a message that culprits cannot escape punishment through long-drawn court cases and easily procured bails.

Addressing a press conference at the secretariat, Anitha said, "To ensure that the accused persons are punished, the CM has taken a decision. Government will write to the High Court for a fast-track court. This fast-track court is for this (Sri Sathyasai district) case and another case from Bapatla where a woman was raped and murdered."

Police nabbed five people accused in the Sri Sathyasai district case using technology and by chasing them for about 200 kms in 48 hours, the Home Minister said.

They were all remanded and one of them had 32 cases – including those of rape and theft - booked against him.

Exhorting officials to use CCTV surveillance cameras as much as possible, she called upon people and entities to sync their CCTV footage with that of the police network to help harvest actionable intelligence.

"That's why we are appealing to the public to sync their CCTV camera surveillance fixed at their homes and businesses with police, then we will definitely integrate it to a nearby command control room and take responsibility to ensure that no such issues (crime) occur," said Anitha.

Naidu wanted officials to use drones to step up surveillance wherever CCTV was not available and he called upon people to use their mobile phones extensively to record evidence of crimes, Anitha noted.

Further, she highlighted that the government will intensify CCTV surveillance by installing more cameras at places like government offices, women's hostels etc to make sure that no criminal can escape after committing a crime.

Inputs from PTI