Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 5: State Government today introduced a bill in the Legislative Assembly proposing capital punishment to the accused in case of rape victim’s death during the course of commission of offence and punishment up to life imprisonment in case of rape besides laying down special procedure for speedy trial of such cases and prescribing punishment for the offences of stalking, voyeurism and sexual harassment.
Introducing the Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, the Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah said, “following the country wide protest and public outcry against incident of gang-rape at New Delhi on December 16, 2012 a need was felt to have a re-look at the existing laws governing the sexual assault and use of brutal force against women so that menace is curbed in the society and the guilty are dealt with firmly”.
“The Ranbir Panel Code, Code of Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act are sought to be amended to prescribe punishment extending to the sentence of death, for an offence where in the course of commission of an offence of rape, the offender inflicts any injury which causes the death of the victim or causes the victim to be in a persistent vegetative State”, the Minister said.
He further said, “by way of amendment the Government wants to make specific provisions for punishment for the offences of causing grievous hurt by acid attack and also for an attempt, define and prescribe punishment for the offences of stalking, voyeurism and sexual harassment”, adding “Government wants to widen the definition of rape, broaden the ambit of aggravated rape and enhance the punishment, punish the repeat offenders of rape with imprisonment for life, which will mean the remainder of the person’s natural life or with death”.
“The Government has prescribed that those convicted for the offence of gang rape should be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a minimum of 25 years extendable to life and fine to be paid to the victim to meet the medical expenses”, he said, adding “we also want to amend certain sections of Criminal Procedure Code for providing women friendly procedures, greater sensitivity to the requirement of physically and mentally disabled persons, children and old persons in the course of investigation and trial including speedy trial of rape cases and better recording of evidence”.
He said that the amendment in Evidence Act is aimed at protecting the dignity of women.
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