Stalking should be dealt sternly, says court

New Delhi, March 18

Expressing concern over rise in crime against women in the capital, a Delhi court has said the judiciary should sternly deal with issue of stalking as the perpetrator, "if not treated", becomes dangerous over time and poses threat to the lives of women.

The court said the Indian society has been struggling to find ways to deal with stalking, which was made an offence in 2013, but there have been several shortcoming in the existing law and a stalker cannot be allowed to roam around freely as his activities could be dangerous for others.

Special Judge Kamini Lau lamented that the society often blames women saying they failed to wear "modest clothes".

"To a pervert mind, it does not matter how a woman is dressed, how old she is, how pretty she is, where she is - whether in a public transport or hospital etc.

"Eve Teasing is almost institutionalised in public transport and public places and what these perverts look for are easy preys and vulnerable victims so that they don't get caught," the court said.

The court made the observations while dismissing the appeals of two convicts in a stalking case and upholding their six month's jail.

It said there was no reason to disbelieve the statement of the 21-year-old woman, who was stalked in 2013 by her two classmates. There was no reason for her to falsely implicated them in the case, it added.

Stalking is an offence where a person willfully, maliciously and repeatedly follows or harasses another person and it entails a maximum punishment of three years jail for first offence and five years for subsequent crime.

"A potential stalker if not treated in time can cause serious physical and mental harm to the victim and any kind of soft approach by the court can be dangerous and fatal for the victim," it said. – PTI