Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Chowdhary today said her ministry was examining the issue and government may come up with stricter laws and implementation mechanism to deal with cases of molestation.

The minister held a two-hour long meeting with her officials here to discuss the Immoral Trafficking Act, misuse of Section 498-A of the IPC relating to dowry, laws dealing with molestation and fraudulent NRI marriages.

“We are examining the laws and the sole aim of the ministry is to ensure implementation of these laws. The problem is with implementation. We want to ensure faster and hassle-free implementation of laws meant to serve women,” Chowdhury told reporters.

“In case of Mumbai molestation, I just would like to say that politicisation of the episode is uncalled for. Therefore I don’t want to say anything on the issue. It would be better if people show little sensitivity while referring to it,” she said.

On whether the ministry has asked for a report on the incident, she said, “Yes we have asked for a detailed report in the case from Mumbai Police because I want to know the whole truth.”

She said the ministry was also examining other laws concerning women, including those relating to fraudulent marriages.

“We are examining the whole gamut of law, keeping the interest and safety of women in mind. There are tricky situations, like a girl marries an NRI groom and later gets to know that he is already married,” she said.

“So in such a situation there is only section 420 under IPC to help her out, which is cheating. If one goes by this section a person will have to serve three months in jail while the woman, have to suffer forever. So we are examining all options to plug the loopholes,” said Chowdhury.

On alleged misuse of section 498-A of the IPC, the minister said that there is only one law that protects women from hardships they could face if their matrimonial alliance turns sour.

“We are certainly not taking it up with other concerned ministries for revision but we are examining the 498-A to strengthen it further,” she explained.
Chowdhary said that the ministry was inviting men to know their views on domestic violence. “They are part of the domestic system so their views are important to us. We will soon provide an opportunity to men and everyone to express their views on the same. We will amend domestic violence Act keeping their suggestions in mind,” she said.