The bill will now replace the Criminal Law Ordinance promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on April 22, to strengthen the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018, which ensures stringent punishment for those convicted of raping girls below 12 years of age.
The bill was taken up for discussion in the Lok Sabha earlier today. During the discussion, Minister of State (MoS) for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said, “New provision proposes that court, where rape cases are trialed, should be presided by a woman judge. The statements in rape cases should be recorded by a woman police officer.”
Reacting to the rise in the number of rape cases against children, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi said, “Law cannot stop the rape of children, change of men’s mentality can.”
The bill will now replace the Criminal Law Ordinance promulgated by President Ram Nath Kovind on April 22, to strengthen the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
In the wake of an increase in incidents of rape of minors, the Union Cabinet on April 21 approved a number of measures to amend the POCSO Act.