Govt to introduce Women’s Bill in Assembly soon: Vikar

JAMMU, Apr 3: A Bill to curb sexual assault and use of brutal force against women, will be placed before the Cabinet for introduction in the State Assembly soon. “A draft Bill, ‘Jammu and Kashmir Criminal Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2013’ has been prepared by the committee constituted by the State Government for having a re-look at existing laws governing sexual assault and use of brutal force against women,” said Minister of state for Power Vikar Rasool while replying to a question in the Legislative Council here today. “The Bill will shortly be placed before the Cabinet,” he said. The committee sought views from the chairperson of the State Commission for Women, retired Judges of High Court, senior advocates who have specialised in the field of criminal law, law departments of universities in State, other stakeholders and sessions judges, particularly the female Presiding Officers of the State. Besides, it also went into the report of Justice Verma Commission appointed by the Centre as also the criminal law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 and existing provisions of substantive and procedural laws on the subject in vogue in the State. (AGENCIES)