Stating that social networks "corrupt adolescents" the Dharmadhikari panel in its third interim report to the state government suggested a restriction on such sites.
The committee headed by retired high court judge Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari was appointed by the government to recommend measures to stop violence against women.
The committee submitted a report on 16 January and had 31 recommendations. A copy of the same was submitted to Bombay high court division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice Anoop Mohta on Thursday.
The panel report suggested that there should be restrictions on "networking, Facebook, mobile phone and vulgar and indecent conversations and exchange of pictures" as these trends were noted to increase among adolescents, according to a survey that was conducted on the same.
The recommendations also stated that the details of people convicted in cases of atrocities against women should be put up on websites and social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. "This is mainly to create awareness and prohibit such crimes," the report said.
The report also recommended the prosecution of those who witness crimes against women but do not respond or react.
"Just being a mute spectator is a crime. Such persons should be considered as accused and similar provisions should be in the law to consider them as so. It seems that crimes take place due to silent consent of such people,'' it said.
The report pointed to a clause of the Constitution which states that it is the duty of every individual to protect women. It recommended amending section 39 (public to give information of certain offences) of the CrPC and sections 177 (furnishing false information) and 202 (intentional omission to give information by person bound to inform) of the IPC, reported The Times of India.
The committee also proposed a ban on advertisements which portray women indecently. "Western countries have started the depiction of men also in advertisments. In our country, this has started,'' it stated adding that the law against obscene depiction of women was created to curb the practice. "It is for this reason this law must be implemented and further amendments must be made if required.''
Among various other reccomendations, the committee also suggested the setting up of an independent body to make sure the laws are stricltly implemented.
