JK govt approves ordinance of death penalty for child rapist

Srinagar, April 24: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday passed an ordinance approving death penalty for child rapists and enhancing the jail term for those convicted of raping girls aged 13 and above. The step has been taken in a bid to protect the dignity of small girls as well as of women. 

Notably, the move comes days after PM Modi led central government approved ordinance promulgating to provide stringent punishment for perpetrators of rape particularly of girls below 16 years age and below 12 years of age. The ordinance passed by Jammu and Kashmir government is named as J&K Protection of Children from Sexual Violence 2018 ordinance.

According to the J&K Protection of Children from Sexual Violence 2018 ordinance, the death penalty/life imprisonment will be awarded for sexual offences against children up to the age of 12 years. The punishment will also be enhanced to 20 years/ life imprisonment for sexual offences against women under 13 to 60 years.

Jammu and Kashmir’s Rural Development Minister Abdul Hak Khan said, "By the means of an ordinance, we have brought an amendment to the Criminal Law Ordinance 2018 which will enhance punishment to 20 years/ life imprisonment for sexual offences against women under 13 to 60 years. Under J&K Protection of Children from Sexual Violence 2018 ordinance, death penalty/life imprisonment will be awarded for sexual offences against children up to the age of 12 years. Investigation of cases has to be completed within two months and trial to be completed in six months."

The ordinance by the government of Jammu and Kashmir government was approved months after the eight-year-old girl named Asifa was allegedly kidnapped, gang-raped and later killed. In another such case, an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped and killed by a close relative. In both cases, police have arrested the accused.

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