Shankaracharya endorses death, chemical castration for rapists

"Several incidents of rape and sexual harassment are reported from Delhi as well as from other states everyday. There is a need for more stringent law against those who commit such crimes," Swami Nischalanand told reporters.

Law should provide for "chemical castration and death sentence for rape," he said, adding that such provisions must not be allowed to be misused.

The religious leader also said the media should not hype reports of sexual offences.