JOIN USThe Centre has called a meeting of activists and experts on Friday for some brainstorming on making laws against rape more stringent.
The session will also deliberate on whether such crimes warrant capital punishment.
The meeting, coordinated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, will be attended by academicians, bureaucrats and legal experts, with due representation to various ministries.
Coming in response to the public outcry after the Delhi gang-rape, for changes in law punishing rape with many protesters demanding even capital punishment, Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath told Deccan Herald: In order to facilitate concrete suggestions on tackling various aspects of the crime and the punishment it should entail, we have organised this meeting of experts. They will give feedback on legal and related issues.
“We have to take into account trial as well. The provision for in-camera trial has not proved effective. Besides, prolonged trial tires the victim, who often stop pursuing the case. Victims should be made to testify only once, “ said Tirath.
Tirath met the ministers for Home and Law and discussed changes to laws governing rape. She also met the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi on the security of women in the national capital and changes needed in the law pertaining to sexual offences. Meanwhile, there is no concensus yet on punishing rape with capital punishment.