Bhubaneswar, Jan. 9: The state government today decided to expedite investigations into rape and molestation cases and complete them within 60 days. Victims of such incidents will be allowed to lodge their complaints with any police station in the state.

Charge sheets in all such cases will be filed within 60 days. At present, under the Criminal Procedure Code, charge sheets are required to be filed within 120 days.

A decision to this effect was taken after chief minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed crimes against women this evening in the wake of the Delhi gang rape incident and similar cases in the state.

Separate cells will be opened in the office of each superintendent of police to supervise investigation into women-related cases. The desks set up in all the 537 police stations to deal with cases relating to women and children will be strengthened and at least one woman sub-inspector will be posted to look after the desk.

Apart from this, a separate cadre of public prosecutors will be created to handle cases related to crimes against women.

Steps will also be taken to set up fast-track courts for speedy trial of rape, murder and dowry death cases.

On the other hand, criticising the state government for its “failure” to protect women, the BJP today demanded dismissal of the government and imposition of President’s rule in the state.

BJP state vice-president Ashok Sahu pointed out that the chief minister had himself admitted in the recent session of the Assembly that 1,112 rape cases had been reported during 2011 as against 1,025 in 2010. The number of such incidents would be more than 1,300.

While the rape cases have registered a 9 per cent increase every year at the national level, the growth rate is around 20 per cent in Odisha, said Sahu.

“Leave conviction, only 10 charge sheets have been filed out of 4,100-odd rape cases registered during the past three years,” said Sahu.

The BJP leader attributed the apathy of police authorities, lack of sympathy towards victims and favour towards accused persons close to ruling party leaders to the low conviction rate and growing crimes against women.

He cited the instance of the Pipili gang rape case and ayurvedic doctor Madhabilata Pradhan’s death case in which the role of ruling party leaders was in question.