Haryana passes death penalty bill against rapists of girls aged 12 or below, becomes third state to do so

A bill advocating the death penalty for those guilty of raping girls below 12 years of age was passed on Thursday in The Haryana Assembly.

Haryana is now the third state to pass such a bill, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh being the others. This will require amending provisions under Section 376 which relates to rape, Section 354 (assault against a woman) and 353D (2) (stalking) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Earlier in February, the Haryana government had agreed to a proposal to bring in a law that would have a provision awarding to the death penalty to those who are guilty of raping girls aged 12 years or less.

In case of rape/gang rape of a minor up to 12 years of age, death punishment or rigorous imprisonment of not less than 14 years which may extend to life imprisonment was decided by the Cabinet.

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said in January that his government is set to bring in such a law. "We will enact a law to provide for capital punishment for those found guilty of raping girls aged 12 years or below.

Besides, we will make a request for setting up fast-track courts for dealing with rape cases to ensure speedy justice to the victims," Khattar had said in January.

On March 9, Rajasthan Assembly passed a bill in which rigorous punishment, including the death penalty, can be awarded to those who are found guilty of raping girls below the age of 12. Earlier on December 4, a similar law was passed in the Madhya Pradesh Assembly.