Shinde asks all parties to give views on reviewing rape laws

Opposition parties are demanding a special session of Parliament

Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde has written to all political parties, to communicate their suggestions to the three-member committee constituted to recommend on amending laws to provide speedier justice and enhanced punishment in sexual assault cases. The committee is headed by former Chief Justice of India J S Verma.

In his letter, the home minister said, “The government is considering reviewing the present laws for speedier justice and enhanced punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault. The three-member committee will look into the possible amendments of the criminal law. Communicate your views to the committee as early as possible, as the committee has been asked to finalise its recommendations early.”

The three-member committee comprises Verma, former solicitor general Gopal Subramaniam and Leila Seth, retired chief justice of the Himachal Pradesh High Court.

LEADERS SPEAK ALONG WITH SHINDE

• Delhi chief minister Sheila Dikshit to hold protest march in the capital on Wednesday
   
• Home minister Sushilkumar Shinde asks political parties to give recommendations to three-member committee
   
• Tamil Nadu CM Jayalalithaa wants death penalty for rape
   
• BJP wants the laws to be changed during the Budget session, if a special session isn’t called

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with other opposition parties, has been demanding a special session of Parliament or an all-party meeting to discuss changes in laws needed to stop violence against women. Opposition parties have asked the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to consider introducing the changes in laws during the Budget session of Parliament. This, the parties said, would enable a detailed discussion on the issue.

After a 23-year-old paramedical student was assaulted by six men in a moving bus on December 16, it was demanded the laws be changed and punishment to offenders in such cases be made more stringent. Most political parties, including the Congress and the BJP, have proposed harsher punishments, including death sentence, for people committing violent crimes against women.

Meanwhile, protests against the gang rape of the 23-year-old in Delhi continued on Tuesday, with many cancelling their celebrations to express solidarity with the victim.

On Tuesday, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa recommended death sentences to people involved in violent crimes against women. She also proposed changes in the Goonda Act and said a helpline for women would be introduced in the state.

Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit is set to hold a protest march tomorrow to urge the government to introduce stringent laws.