If voted to power, will check 'misuse' of anti-rape law: SP

Samajwadi Party today said if voted to power at Centre it will check "large scale misuse" of newly formulated legislations including the anti-rape law that came into existence after December 16, 2012 gang-rape case.

"There is a large scale misuse of laws including anti-dowry, SC/ST (atrocities prevention) act and the new anti-rape law that came into existence after 'Nirbhaya' rape case. ... SP is in favour of implementing them strictly and at the same time will initiate strict action against those misusing them," the party's manifesto said.

The apprehension of Parliament members proved true with increase in misuse of these law, it said

"We will stop misuse of these laws and initiate strict action against those doing it," SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav said. The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, brought against the backdrop of the country-wide outrage over the Delhi gangrape case, provides for life term and even death sentence for rape convicts besides stringent punishment for offences like acid attacks, stalking and voyeurism.