Purandeswari calls for stern action against sexual offenders

Hyderabad: Crimes against women need to be dealt with sternly. No matter how influential the perpetrator may be, he should not be allowed to go scot-free for involving in sexual crimes, said Union Minister D Purandeswari.

Chairing a fortnightly meeting on Women's Safety and Political Empowerment organised by AP Women's Commission here on Tuesday, Purandeswari felt that even a stringent law like the Nirbhaya Act was not acting as a deterrent to sexual offenders. The sexual crimes against women are only increasing day by day. Referring to Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka Magazine, who allegedly sexually assaulted a junior employee recently, she said that the government was investigating the case.

Referring to surveys on women contesting in elections, she said while over 32 per cent of women who contested elections were victorious, only 27 per cent of men who contested polls were victorious. Sunita Khurana, Joint Secretary, National Women's Commission, Priyadarshini, Director, APARD, Jamuna, AP Women's Commission, Member, Jyothi, AIDWA Leader, attended the event.