Shivraj Singh Chouhan bats for death to rapists

Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has made a strong pitch for death penalty to rapists to arrest growing incidents of heinous crimes against women.

Mr Chouhan said a move to amend Constitution providing capital punishment to the rapists should be initiated at the earliest by all political parties, spiritual leaders and social activists. He was addressing people at the Narmada Seva Yatra campaign at Sandia in Hosangabad district on Wednesday evening.

Mr Chouhan observed that a strong deterrent, such as capital punishment, can only effectively check growing cases of rapes in the country.

Mr Chouhan also bated for prohibition to check incidents of violence against women. Mr Chouhan assured that liquor shops won’t be opened on banks of Narmada.

“Along with towns situated on the banks of river Narmada, the campaign will be conducted across the state,” he added.

Mr Chouhan also administered a pledge to the people for conserving Narmada.

Breaking his silence on the ongoing controversy over “sudden” transfer of Katni district superintendent of police Gaurav Tiwari in the midst of his probe into Rs 500 crore hawala racket, Mr Chouhan said the enforcement directorate (ED) was competent authority to investigate such cases.

“The case will be probed by ED. I want to make it clear that no one howsoever powerful one may be will not be spared if found to be involved in the racket,” he told reporters here.

Referring to allegations made by the Opposition Congress claiming involvement of state higher education minister Sanjay Pathak in the case, he said one should not be blamed without any evidence.