The State Human Rights Commission, Bihar, has reprimanded state police for not showing “seriousness and sensitivity” in dealing with cases related to sexual offences, including rape.

The commission has issued certain guidelines to the police for fair and expeditious investigation of sexual offences.

“The commission is of the view that unless investigations of such serious and heinous offences are taken seriously, sensitively and thereafter trials of such cases are also expedited, it will never be possible to either prevent commission of such offence or protect human rights of rape victims,” Justice Rajendra Prasad, a member of the commission, said in its order.

The panel issued the directive on Monday, while hearing a plea by a rape victim seeking direction to the authorities concerned, for taking necessary actions so that justice could be done to the victim and such occurrence does not take place with anyone in future.

Out of the several recommendations, the commission has favoured creation of an independent investigating agency that would be entrusted with adequate power to investigate cases of sexual offences.