Disha law will act as deterrent for sexual offences against women, children: AP Home Minister

Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Mekathoti Sucharitha on Friday said that the newly passed Disha Bills should act as a deterrent for incidents of sexual assault against women and children.

"I believe this historic legislation, the first of its kind in our country, should act as a deterrent for any incident of sexual assault against women and children," Mekathoti said.

She said that the law was brought in the backdrop of the recent barbaric and dastardly gang-rape and murder of a woman veterinarian, Disha, which has shaken the conscience of our country and made the state government reflect on what should be done to prevent it.

"We sincerely believe that speedy justice and stringent punishment are absolutely critical in this aspect. This resulted in our government in enacting the Disha Act, which provides stringent penal provisions, time-bound investigation and trial, all within 21 days in special courts in every district of the state," Mekathoti said.

"These days, social media and electronic communication have also become an instrument for harassment and dishonouring women. To effectively curb such activities, we have incorporated stringent penal provisions," she added.

Earlier today, the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed two Disha Bills which enable death penalty for rape besides taking stringent action for crimes on women by setting up of special courts to deal with such offences.