Former CJI, anti-rape law panel chief J.S. Verma dead

New Delhi, April 22 (IANS) Justice J.S. Verma, who headed the panel on anti-rape laws in the aftermath of the Dec 16 gang-rape, died due to liver failure and bleeding in the stomach here Monday. He was 80.

He died at Gurgaon's Medanta Hospital at 9.30 p.m..

"Justice Verma was admitted to the hospital on Friday with complaint of liver failure. He died at 9.30 p.m. of liver failure and bleeding in the stomach," Yatin Mehta, head of Medanta's Institute of Critical Care Medanta, told IANS.

Justice Verma was the 27th Chief Justice of India from March 25, 1997 to Jan 18, 1998.

He died three months after presenting his committee report to the government. The three-member panel was set up following nationwide outrage in the aftermath of the Dec 16 gang-rape to suggest amendments to anti-rape laws.

The panel submitted its recommendations on Jan 23, suggesting amendment of criminal laws to provide for stringent punishment for rapists, including those belonging to police and public servants.

Among the recommendations are life imprisonment for gang-rape, speedy justice for the victims, review of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act's working, and community policing.

The committee stopped short of recommending death penalty for gang-rape.

Gang-rape would entail a punishment of not less than 20 years, but which also could extend to life. Gang-rape followed by death shall be punished with life imprisonment, the panel suggested.

The panel did not suggest death penalty for rapists because there were overwhelming suggestions from the women organisations against it, he had said.

The committee proposed amendments to the Indian Penal Code making stalking, acid attacks and voyeurism to be also considered separate crimes.

Under the bill, all forms of violence, exploitation, cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment and treatment targeting women are prohibited.

It also entitles a woman to have the right to express and experience complete sexual autonomy, including with respect to her relationships and choice of partners.

The commission did not alter the legally defined age of juvenile from 18 to 16 years - a demand by women activists after one of the accused involved in the gang-rape was found to be below 18 years.