Women Lawyers Association president D Prasanna told the Times of India: ‘Our chief minister has acted as role model for other states and it is a step to make a safe-zone for women.’
According to the report, the association has adopted resolutions thanking the chief minister and national and state governments to follow suit. It has also kicked-off a week-long awareness drive in the city. ‘During the period, women advocates will meet women and girls at bus stands and college premises, and such other public places, and give them pep talk,’ said Ms Prasanna.

Gang rape

Meanwhile, several news outlets across the country are reporting that lawyers will not defend the men accused of a fatal gang rape last month.
According to Channel News Asia, hearings are scheduled to begin tomorrow at Saket district court in south New Delhi, where police will formally present a 1,000-page charge sheet against the six-person gang.
However, Sanjay Kumar -- a lawyer and a member of the Saket District Bar Council – said: ‘We have decided that no lawyer will stand up to defend the rape accused as it would be immoral to defend the case.’

Speedy justice

Mr Kumar added that the 2,500 lawyers registered at the court will ‘stay away’ to ensure ‘speedy justice’. The boycott could see the government appointing lawyers for the defendants.
Five of the men will face expected charges of rape, murder and kidnapping, with the prosecutor likely to seek the death sentence.
A sixth suspect is believed to be 17 years old, meaning he would be tried in the juvenile court, but police are conducting bone tests to determine his age.