Govt. of India forms panel to probe Delhi rape case

Government on Wednesday set up a Commission of Inquiry to identify lapses and fix responsibility in the gang rape of 23-year-old girl in New Delhi, an issue that was discussed by the Union Cabinet with ministers expressing concern over the incident. The one-person Commission, to be headed by former Delhi High Court judge Justice Usha Mehra, will also suggest measures to make Delhi and NCR safer for women. It will submit within three months its report which will be tabled in Parliament along with action taken by the government.

The decision was taken at the meeting which was briefed by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the December 16 incident that shocked the nation and triggered widespread protests. At the meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, several ministers expressed anguish at the incident and said the government should walk the extra mile to ensure recovery of the victim and instil a sense of safety among women. While announcing the decision to set up the Commission, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram appealed to public to “believe” that steps are being taken to find lasting solution to the “problem that has plagued all metropolitan cities.”