Mumbai, Jun 26: In a bid to improve conviction rate which is below 10 per cent in the state, Maharashtra government has set up a four-member committee, headed by the Directorate of Prosecution's director, which will make its recommendations within three months.

"The committee was set up recently. It was asked to submit recommendations on how to improve conviction rate in the state. The four-member committee would visit a few states where the conviction rate is high and make suggestions after studying their pattern," Umesh C Sarangi, Home Department Additional Chief Secretary, told PTI.

"The places where the committee would visit are yet to be finalised," Sarangi said.

The conviction rate of Maharashtra was a mere 9.6 per cent in 2009, while it is about 15 per cent in Bihar and Orissa. In states like Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, the conviction rate is nearly 50 per cent, Home department sources said.

"This (the conviction rate) is disturbing," observed another official adding, "A progressing state cannot take it very lightly and hence the committee was set up."

The committee is headed by Directorate of Prosecution''s director R D Sankhe, who is also the Joint Secretary (Law), while other members are Maharashtra Police Academy deputy director Nikhil Gupta, superintendent of police (CID) J D Supekar and Assistant Police Commissioner (crime) R C Khandagale. 

PTI