Ordinance for Death Punishment for Child Rapist Approved by Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N Vora

Srinagar, May 17: The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Governor N.N Vora on Thursday approved the ordinance passed by the cabinet minister of Mehbooba Mufti earlier to allow the death punishment to a child rapist below 12 years of age. The ordinance has come after the massive outrage over the Kathua rape and murder case of an eight-year-old girl. The J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti approved the ordinance in April, two days after the Modi Government held a special cabinet to bring the ordinance to award capital punishment to child rapist.

CM Mufti approved two ordinances to provide stringent punishment including the death penalty for those convicted of rape of minor girls- below the age of 12, and rape of the women under the age of 16 punishable by life imprisonment. One is the criminal law ordinance 2018, in which provides the enhancement of punishment in rape victim cases and the second is Jammu and Kashmir Protection of Children from Sexual Violence Ordinance.

The purpose to bring such ordinance is to ensure severe punishment to the accused in a time-bound period and to control the rising crime against young girls across the country.

In addition, the government has also changed the pattern of the investigation. Provisions like hearing of the case will be on camera and the bail provision will be made more difficult so the accused could not go scott free. Also, only women officers will investigate the case and two months of the time frame has been set for completion of the investigation

In addition, the ordinance has clearly mentioned that an appeal time of six months will be provided.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 17, 2018 04:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).