NEW DELHI, Oct 10 - The Centre has issued a fresh advisory to States and UTs on mandatory action in cases of crimes against women, and said probe into rape cases must be completed within two months as per law and that dying declaration of a victim can�t be discarded merely because it has not been recorded by a magistrate.
The detailed three-page advisory of the Union home ministry came days after the alleged gang-rape and murder of a woman at Hathras sparked nationwide outrage.
The home ministry said there should be compulsory registration of an FIR in case of a cognisable offence under the CrPC, and any failure of police to adhere to laid down rules does not augur well for the delivery of justice.
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 cognisable offence, which includes cases of sexual assault on women, the 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,� it said.
�Such lapses, if noticed, need to be investigated into and stringent action taken immediately against the concerned officers responsible for the same,� the advisory to States and Union Territory administrations said.
The home ministry told the States and UT administrations that the Section 173 of CrPC provides for completion of police investigation in relation to rape in two months. � PTI
