Maharashtra govt has decided to allow women to lodge harassment complaints online, says Ajit Pawar

NEW DELHI: The Maharashtra cabinet discussed PM Modi's instruction about online registration of women harassment cases and decided to adopt a different approach to prevent such incidents, deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said on Monday.
During a programme organised for "Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana" in Jalgaon on Sunday, prime minister Narendra Modi termed crimes against women an unpardonable sin and said the safety of women should be a priority.
Modi's comments came in response to recent atrocities, including the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Hospital and the sexual abuse of two four-year-old girls in Badlapur near Mumbai. Modi highlighted that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita dedicates an entire chapter to crimes against women and children and introduced the facility of e-FIR for women who cannot reach a police station.
Ajit Pawar confirmed that Maharashtra would implement Modi's instructions immediately. "PM Modi has instructed about filing complaints regarding such incidents online, and we have decided to implement it immediately. Several such cases are coming to the fore. We have decided to take a different approach to prevent such crimes, and the issue was discussed in the cabinet meeting yesterday," Pawar said.
Pawar also stressed the need for severe penalties against offenders. "Perpetrators should get capital punishment in these cases and the trial should be held in the fast-track court," he said.
In addition to this issue, Pawar addressed allegations from Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan concerning the Pune Porsche car crash case. Chavan claimed that individuals close to the state government were being protected, which Pawar dismissed as false. "Terming them an 'utter lie,' he said if someone has any proof, they can submit it as no one will be shielded."
Pawar also touched on the discussions among Mahayuti constituents (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) regarding the chief minister's post. He indicated that the decision would be made after the upcoming state assembly elections. "Asked about talks between the Mahayuti constituents (BJP, Shiv Sena, and NCP) about the post of chief minister, he said the dispensation will be decided once it returns to power after the upcoming state assembly elections."