J&K cabinet nod to ordinance on death penalty for child rapists

The Jammu and Kashmir cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft of an amendment to be submitted to the state's Governor for promulgation of an ordinance, which provides for death penalty to rapists of children.

Official sources said in winter capital Jammu that the Criminal Law Ordinance 2018 (Amendment) and Jammu Kashmir Protection of Children from Sexual Violence were approved by the cabinet which met on Tuesday in Jammu.

"The ordinance to be promulgated by the state Governor would be at par with the central government law on death to accused found guilty of raping a victim up to 12 years of age.

"Those guilty of raping a victim, aged between 13 and 16, will get death penalty. The amendment seeks that the investigations in rape and sexual assault cases would be carried out by women police officers and these would be completed with two months.

"Thereafter, the trial court will complete the trial within six months," said an informed source.

The J&K government has come up with its amendment to the criminal law to bring it at par with the similar amendment made recently by the central government.

--IANS

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