The government of Andhra Pradesh is going to bring a new law to protect women. Under this, the provision of capital punishment for rapists will be fixed. The bill has been approved by the Andhra Pradesh cabinet on Wednesday. The provision of punishment along with the trial will be decided within 21 days of the registration of the FIR in the bill. This bill will be introduced in the state assembly today. The bill amended section 354 of the IPC to create a new Section 354 (e).
Currently Indian law does not have the provision of death penalty for the perpetrators of rape. As soon as the bill is passed, Andhra Pradesh will be the first state to give capital punishment in rape cases. This law will be an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Crimes Act, which has been named the 'Andhra Pradesh Disha Law'. Explain that this law is being brought in Telangana after the recent rape and murder of a female doctor. Apart from this, another draft law was also approved which would set up special courts to prosecute women and children in cases of atrocities.
Punishment will be given in 21 days
Under the proposed 'Andhra Pradesh Disha Act', there is a provision of capital punishment for rape. The amended law provides for the completion of the investigation in seven days and prosecution from the court in the next 14 days in cases where there is evidence to be taken cognizance so that the sentence can be given within 21 days. The current law gives four months to go to trial in such cases.
Special courts will be set up
Under this law, special courts will be set up in all the 13 districts which will prosecute cases of atrocities against women and children such as rape, sexual harassment, acid attack and harassment through social media. The bill also proposes capital punishment for sexual exploitation of children on the lines of the revised Poxo Act 2019, which was approved by Parliament earlier this year.
Apart from this, the state cabinet has also decided to extend the jail term for the perpetrators of sexual exploitation with children. In this, it is now proposed to increase the sentence of 5 years for those accused of raping children to life imprisonment from 10 years (till death).
