Punishment for rape cases enhanced

Amaravati: The state government has promulgated the Criminal Law (amendment) Ordinance 2018 enhancing punishment for the offence of rape. As per the ordinance, the existing minimum punishment of seven years imprisonment in rape cases has been increased to 10 years.

Similarly, the minimum punishment for the offence of rape of a girl child below the age of 16 years has been increased from 10 year rigorous imprisonment to 20 years rigorous imprisonment, extendable to imprisonment for the rest of convict’s life.

The punishment for offence of gang rape of a girl child under 16 years of age is imprisonment for rest of convict’s life. However, stringent punishment up to death sentence has also been provided in cases of rape of a girl child under 12 years of age.

The minimum punishment of the offence of a girl child below 12 years is 20 years imprisonment extendable to imprisonment for rest of convict’s life or death. Principal secretary to home department A R Anuradha said that apart from the stringent punishments in the IPC, the CrPC has also been amended.

“The investigation of all cases of rape has to be mandatorily completed within two months. Further, the trial of all rape cases has to be completed in two months. Six months time limit has been prescribed for disposal of appeals in all rape cases,” she said.

The provision of anticipatory bail to the person accused of rape or gang rape of a girl under age of 12 or 16 has also been done away with, she said.

The High Court or the Court of Sessions, before deciding the regular bail applications, will give notice of 15 days to the public prosecutor to appear for the hearing of the application, where presence of person authorised by victim shall be mandatory, Anuradha said.