M A I N   N E W S

Delhi’s shame
Cabinet clears death for rapists in rare cases
Approves ordinance on crimes against women Word ‘rape’ to be replaced by ‘sexual assault’
Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 1
The Union Cabinet today approved the promulgation of an ordinance that introduces tougher jail terms for crimes against women, including death penalty for extreme cases of sexual assault.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh discussed the Justice Verma Committee report, which recommended a series of measures to make crime against women laws more stringent. The three-member panel was set up after national outrage over the gang-rape and brutal assault of a 23-year-old trainee physiotherapist in a moving bus in the National Capital on the night of December 16.

With the Cabinet approving the ordinance, the government will not have to wait for the budget session of Parliament to commence on February 21 to amend the law. Though the ordinance will allow changes in law, it will have to be passed in Parliament. Once the budget session starts, the government will have to table a Bill to replace the ordinance.

The ordinance could be promulgated over the weekend, sources said. It would have to be approved by the President before it becomes a law.

The Cabinet has recommended inclusion of death sentence or a jail term spanning the convict's lifetime in extreme cases. The severity of the crime in order to categorise it as an “extreme case” will be detailed in the ordinance. It may include cases were there may be bodily harm to the victim that left her in a vegetative state or seriously injured.

Other cases of rape will attract a prison term of up to 20 years. The word ‘rape’ will be replaced by the word ‘sexual assault’. However, the government has omitted a recommendation by the Justice JS Verma committee to make marital rape a part of sexual assault.

Stalking a woman, acid attacks, trafficking and harassment at work place will be covered under sexual assault, as per the tonight’s decision, and attract graded punishments. Till now, stalking, acid attacks and trafficking were not defined under sexual attacks. Thousands of women are stalked daily across the country and incidents of acid attack are reported frequently.

The Justice Verma panel suggested radical changes in rape laws in its 630-page report submitted in 29 days. Despite demands to include death penalty for convicted rapists, it did not recommend capital punishment, saying that even women fighting on the issue for years were against it. It had received over 80,000 suggestions from all over the country on change in laws. 

Sweeping changes

The Cabinet has recommended inclusion of death sentence or a jail term spanning the convict's lifetime in extreme cases; other cases of rape will attract a prison term of up to 20 years

The severity of the crime in order to categorise it as an “extreme case” to be detailed in the ordinance

Stalking a woman, acid attacks, trafficking and harassment at work place to be covered under sexual assault and attract graded punishment

Recommendation to make marital rape a part of sexual 
assault omitted

Victim’s kin want to meet Sonia

Ballia: The family of the Delhi gangrape victim has sought an appointment with UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to apprise her of their woes and demands.The father of the girl said he has sought an appointment with Sonia Gandhi. — PTI