Police must adhere to norms in probe into crime against women: MHA to States

In a three page advisory following incidents of crime against women, including the alleged gang-rape and murder of a woman at Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, the Union Home Ministry has asked all state police to registered an FIR compulsorily in case of a cognisable offence under the CrPC.

"The law also enables the police to register an FIR or a ‘Zero FIR’, in case the crime is committed outside the jurisdiction of police station, in the event of receipt of information on commission of a cognizable offence, which includes cases of sexual assault on women," the Home Ministry said.

"However, even with stringent provisions in law and several capacity-building measures undertaken, any failure of police to adhere to these mandatory requirements may not augur well for the delivery of criminal justice in the country, especially in the context of women safety," the advisory said, adding that for such lapses, if noticed, need to be investigated into and stringent action taken immediately against the officers concerned responsible for the lapses.

"Section 173 of CrPC provides for completion of police investigation in relation to rape in two months. In order to facilitate the State police to monitor compliance, in this regard MHA has provided an online portal called Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO) for monitoring the same," the Ministry further said.