The Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) chief Swati Maliwal today welcomed Supreme Court's observation that Parliament could consider amending the penal provisions to award harsh punishments to persons convicted of raping a girl child.
"Welcome SC seeking reply from GOI on child rapist. Strong law needed to end child rape. Swiftness, certainty of punishment must," Maliwal tweeted.
The Supreme Court today said Parliament could consider amending the penal provisions to award harsh punishments to persons convicted of raping a girl child and also define the term 'child' in respect of rape as the offence.
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The court, which refused to entertain a plea of a women lawyers' body seeking castration of those convicted for raping toddlers, left the issue for the legislature to dwell upon and decide.
"Parliament may think of making such provisions in the IPC and it may also think of defining the term 'Child' in the context of offence of rape," a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and N V Ramana said.
It, however, agreed with the contention of the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association (SCWLA) that kids, up to the age of 10, cannot be equated with other minor girls for the offence of rape and said the legislature could change the law.
