JUDGMENT

P.R. Ramachandra Menon, C.J. - Laxity in the matter of strict compliance of the directions given by the Apex Court in The State Punjab v. Gurmit Singh & Others, (1996) AIR SC 1393 and Sakshi v. Union of India, (2004) AIRSCW 3449 and the relevant provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 in connection with the cases involving rape, the necessity to have a time bound trial, video conferencing of the victim, effective and meaningful compliance of the Victim Compensation Scheme etc. form the subject matter of challenge in this writ petition, preferred as a 'public interest litigation'.

2. The 1st Petitioner is a social activist, whereas the 2nd Petitioner is a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, 1860 and constituted with an intent to protect women and to work for their economical, educational and social progress and prosperity, including welfare for the disabled persons. The Petitioners are stated as committed to the cause of women and children. The alarming increase in the instances of rape committed against girls including of tender age and women of the age 18 years and above, made Petitioners to collect data as to the facts and figures and have app