Kerala HC planning exclusive bench for crime against women

KOCHI: In the backdrop of Delhi gang-rape incident, the Kerala High Court was planning to set up a single and division bench to exclusively hear crimes against women, Chief Justice Manjula Chellur said Sunday.

"In the high court a new bench-- single and division bench can be thought of to deal with crime against women", she said at a function where Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir inaugurated an Additional District and Sessions Court for trial of cases relating to sexual violence and atrocities against women and children.

She said that the Kerala Government had promised to sanction two more similar courts -- in Malabar and in Thiruvananthapuram so that the entire state would be covered.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had also sanctioned additional staff required for the special court, she said.

"We will identify which courts do not have much work and we will see if such courts can be converted into special court to deal with such cases in a fast track manner", she said.

When the entire country was talking of fast track courts, Kerala should show the way, she said, adding, it would not be long to achieve that dream and vision.

There were also plans to constitute a committee of senior judges and lawyers to monitor the activities of child welfare committees and boards, she added.