Two BJP states contemplate death penalty for rape; face opposition

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in Madhya Pradesh has passed a Bill in its Assembly to award capital punishment to those found guilty of raping children below the age of 12. The Rajasthan government, too, was contemplating of bringing a similar Bill. 

Currently, the maximum punishment under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for rape convicts is life imprisonment. The state government has also suggested that the minimum punishment for rape be kept 14 years, and 20 years in case of gang rape.

The Bill — Dand Vidhi (Madhya Pradesh Sanshodhan) Vidheyak, 2017 — is awaiting the President’s assent. 

The civil society said