Maharashtra cabinet approves bill with the death penalty and other tough provisions against crimes like rape, acid attacks, and child abuse

Mumbai’s state cabinet approves a draft bill that includes the punishment of the death penalty for crimes against women.

In an attempt to put a stop to crimes against women and children in the state of Maharashtra, the cabinet on 9th December 2020 decided to approve a draft bill that includes provisions for serious punishments, like the death penalty. Other than the death penalty, punishments could be a life sentence or hefty fines and speedy trials as well. The state cabinet approved the draft bill in a meeting in Mumbai. The bill now has to be kept in front of the legislature in the coming winter session. 

Anil Deshmukh, Home Minister gave more information on this after the meeting. He said that the bill is named, “Shakti Act” and will come up for discussion and approval in both the houses of the legislature. The legislature will be a two-day winter session and will begin in Mumbai on December 14th. 

After getting passed from the house, the bill will move forward to the Central Government’s approval and then Presidential assent. The draft bill looks for making the amends in the relevant section of the Indian Penal Code  (IPC), Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act for the proposed law’s application in the state.

The minister also added that the provisions of the new law aim to control heinous sexual offenses against women and children. It provides for completing investigation and trial within a stipulated time-frame as well as strict punishment, including the death penalty and heavy fines, for culprits.

As to how this all function and bring to implementation, the Home Minister talked that the special police teams and separate courts will be set up for investigation and trial of cases against women and children, according to the draft Bill. The perpetrators, if found guilty, will be punished with imprisonment for life, for not less than 10 years, which may extend to the remainder of natural life or with death in cases that have characteristics of being heinous in nature.

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