New Delhi, July 30: The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018, which increases the maximum and minimum punishment for rape.

The legislation would now be sent to the Rajya Sabha, whose validation is essential for the Bill to be sent to the President for final approval. The amendment Bill will replace the Criminal Law ( Amendment) Ordinance promulgated on April 21, which was moved by the government amid the widespread protest over the rape and murder of a minor in Jammu & Kashmir's Kathua.

Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018: Here are the key highlights

The legislation amends the Indian Penal Code, 1860 - the British-era law which defines the punishment for various criminal offences, including rape.

With the passage of the legislation, the minimum punishment for rape will be increased from seven years at present to 10 years.

The punishment for sexually assaulting a girl below the age of 16 years will now attract a minimum punishment of 20 years and a maximum term of life imprisonment.

The Bill would also approve death penalty for those raping a minor girl below the age of 12. The minimum punishment in this case will be life imprisonment.

The legislation, however, proposes no changes to the punishment defined under the IPC for raping a boy.

On April 21, the Narendra Modi government moved an ordinance approving death penalty for those convicted of raping children below the age of 12. Following the amendment to the law, six cases have been recorded where the accused were awarded death penalty on rape conviction.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 30, 2018 08:53 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).