Lok Sabha passes ‘Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018’ making punishments for rapists stringent

NewsBharati    31-Jul-2018
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New Delhi, July 31: The Lok Sabha has passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018 which replaces the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21 this year. This will help to catch the collars of the rape criminals fast and has doubled the punishments for them.


 

The bill stipulates stringent punishment for perpetrators of rape, particularly of girls below 12 years and the death sentence has been provided for rapists of girls under 12 years.

According to the bill, in case of rape of a girl under 16 years, the minimum punishment has been increased from 10 to 20 years, extendable to life imprisonment. The punishment for the gang-rape of a girl below 16 years will invariably be imprisonment for the rest of life of the convict. The measure also provides for speedy investigations and trial.

The time limit for the investigation of all cases of rape has been prescribed, which has to be mandatorily completed within two months.

The deadline for the completion of a trial in all rape cases will be two months. A six-month time limit for the disposal of appeals in rape cases has also been prescribed, the bill says, adding that there will also be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gang rape of a girl under 16 years.

It has also been prescribed that a court has to give notice of 15 days to a public prosecutor and the representative of the victim before deciding on bail applications in case of rape of a girl under 16 years of age.

Replying to a debate on the bill, MoS for Home Kiren Rijiju said, the Bill has far-reaching consequences and is deterrent to the culprits. He said, fast-track special courts will be set up which will exclusively deal with rape cases and there is also a provision that the court hearing in rape cases should be presided by a woman judge and statement in cases will also be recorded by woman police officer.

He said, for the quality of investigation, forensic kits will be provided at all police stations and hospitals and special forensic labs will be set up in every state.

Rijiju said the Government has taken several steps to curb crime against women and a separate women safety division has been established in the Home Ministry as Government has given top priority to women safety.