Centre passes ordinance to introduce death penalty for rape of minors below 12 years
First Published: 21st April, 2018 15:39 IST
The Union Cabinet on Saturday has approved an ordinance to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to introduce the death penalty for rape of children younger
The Union Cabinet on Saturday has approved an ordinance to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to introduce the death penalty for rape of children younger than 12 years.
The decision was taken a meeting at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi.
The ordinance would be now sent to the President for his approval and is being initiated to enforce the amendment immediately before a bill is introduced and passed by Parliament.
Today’s ordinance also prescribes the minimum punishment in case of rape of women to increase from rigorous imprisonment of 7 years to 10 years which is also extendable to life imprisonment.
In case of rape of a girl under 16 years, minimum punishment has been increased from 10 years to 20 years which again is extendable to imprisonment for rest of life.
Also, for speedy trial of rape cases, new fast track courts will be set up in consultation with States & Union Territories and High Courts.
The ordinance also prescribes that there will be no provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gang rape of a girl under 16 years.
The decision comes in wake of outrage over two recent rape cases from Kathua and Unnao and has been lauded and welcomed by BJP leaders and party workers.
However, members from opposition parties still continue to question the effectiveness of the act.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live LS Polls 2024: Overall voter turnout in phase I recorded at 66.14% and 66.71% in phase II: ECI
30th April 2024Live Mizoram: Large quantity of explosives bound for Myanmar seized, 2 arrested
30th April 2024Live UK: 13-year-old boy killed, several others stabbed by sword-wielding man
30th April 2024Live Lok Sabha Polls- Assam: Students group ABSU decides to back NDA candidate in Kokrajhar seat
30th April 2024WE RECOMMEND
Licence of 14 Patanjali products cancelled. Check details here
In an affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the licencing body said that it had suspended licenses of 14 products manufactured by Patanjali's Divya Pharmacy in connection with the misleading advertisements case.
30th April 2024Delhi Police summons Telangana CM Revanth Reddy in Amit Shah fake video case
The Congress leader has been asked to appear before Delhi Police's IFSO unit (Cyber Unit) on May 1 with his mobile phone.
29th April 2024“Congress involved in dangerous game of vote bank appeasement”: PM Modi
PM Modi said that the Congress neglected the fishermen of the country and it was his government that made a separate ministry to secure their interests.
28th April 2024Himachal Pradesh: 60 roads blocked due to snowfall; IMD issues orange alert
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert for several parts of Himachal Pradesh, warning of snowfall and rain.
28th April 2024Students write ‘Jai Shri Ram pass ho jaayein’, scores 56%
The incident occurred at Veer Bahadur Singh Purvanchal University, a state university in UP's Jaunpur.
27th April 2024