Lok Sabha has passed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 to provide death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years.
The Bill replaces an ordinance promulgated by President in April 2018 and amends Indian Penal Code (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code, Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and Indian Evidence Act.
It provides for,
Stringent punishment of jail term of minimum 20 years or life imprisonment or death for rape of girl less than 12 years
Punishment with imprisonment for rest of life or death sentence in case of gang rape of girl below 12 years.
No provision for anticipatory bail for a person accused of rape or gang rape of girlS under 16 years
Speedy investigation and trial, which must be completed in two months.
Proposes 6 months’ time limit for disposal of appeals in rape cases.