Revised anti-rape law unlikely to be named after Delhi girl

IPC does not have a provision for naming any law after an individual

The revised anti-rape law, which is expected to be stringent and facilitate speedier justice, is unlikely to be named after the Delhi gang-rape victim as suggested by some quarters.

The new law will be framed after Justice Verma Committee, which was constituted to suggest the possible amendments of criminal law to provide for quicker trial and enhanced punishment to criminals in cases of sexual assault against women, submits its report by the end of January.

Home Ministry officials said the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) do not have a provision for naming any law after an individual.    

"No law has been named after any person in India. Neither the IPC nor the CrPC provides for that. One has to see the case in national perspective. The issue has wide repercussion while registering offences. This girl has been a catalyst to the changes in the anti-rape law but naming is not an option," an official of said.

Besides others, Union Minister Shashi Tharoor had said yesterday the revised anti-rape legislation should be named after the victim if her parents do not have objection.

The Justice Verma Committee is reviewing criminal law to punish juvenile in sexual assault cases and considering whether the existing law should be amended or to bring a fresh one.

"The Women and Child Development Ministry is the nodal Ministry. They are also considering the need to plug loopholes in sexual assault law," the official said.

Meanwhile, the Home Ministry inquiry into the controversy over allegations and counter-allegations by Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar on recording the gang-rape victim's statement before her death has not been completed yet.

"We expect an early closure of the probe. But no time line can be put to the process," the official said.