High Court proposes PIL to make measures for safety of women

The state government,while seeking the harshest punishment for the cab drivers,had urged the court to lay down guidelines for safety of women working nights. The judges said directions given by a court on a PIL were binding on the government.

HC said private vehicles and pre-paid taxis could not be completely safe for women and asked the state government to take stock of regulations framed to ensure safety of women travelling alone in pre-paid taxis.

It said many tourists used pre-paid cab services from airports.

“If a tourist takes a pre-paid taxi from airport to Panvel,there could be so many secluded spots on the way,” Justice Kanade said. “In such cases,a pre-paid taxi is not enough to ensure safety,especially of women travelling alone.”

Public prosecutor Revati Dere said the rape and murder of Jyotikumari Choudhary (22) by cab drivers taking her to office had impacted many women working night shifts. She pointed out that 40 per cent of BPO employees were women.

The state government has made 17 suggestions,including a control room,a global positioning system unit,in-cab miniature cameras and an emergency button,to ensure safety of women working nights. The suggestions also include employees and security staff of a company and local police following a standard operating procedure and training women employees in self-defence and insuring all employees for up to Rs 5 lakh against crime and accident.

Will fight even if case goes to apex court: Victim’s brother-in-law

Gaursunder,brother-in-law of Wipro BPO employee Jyotikumari Choudhary (22) who was raped and murdered by two cab drivers in Pune in November 2007,said confirmation of the death sentence to the accused was not a victory for the family.

Jyotikumari’s abduction,rape and murder had shocked the urban population in Pune and Mumbai.

Gaursunder,who works in the IT sector,said,”We have learnt to live with it (the loss). It has changed all of us. We all find moments when we cry alone.”

Jyotikumari lived with her sister and brother-in-law in Pashan. Gaursunder had seen her off on the fateful night when the driver of her cab changed route and raped and later murdered her with a friend.

Gaursunder followed the proceedings in the Pune sessions court and would travel to Mumbai every day to witness the trial in the High Court.

“It’s the choice I made. The day I carried Jyoti’s body I decided I will fight. If they [the accused go to the Supreme Court,we will fight them there too,” he said.

Gaursunder said they moved out of their Pashan house about three years ago. “There was too much there.”