PM Modi-led government to introduce death penalty on child rapist

Narendra Modi-led Centre on Friday told the Supreme Court that they are in the process to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act has been initiated and the legislation would include death penalty as a punishment for raping children under 12 years.

Additional solicitor general PS Narasimha assured the development to a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra hearing a PIL filed by advocate Alakh Alok Srivastava seeking death penalty for those found guilty of sexually assaulting children under 12 years.

A letter from the deputy secretary of the Union Ministry of Women and Children Development, that states an amendment to the law was under active consideration was placed before the Apex Court.

“The ministry proposes to amend POSCO Act -2012 to introduce the death penalty for abusers in cases of aggravated sexual assault against children,” the letter read.

The petition filed by Srivastava also sought Rs 10 lakh compensation for the victim, besides framing guidelines that would ensure completion of investigation and trial of POSCO cases within six months of FIR.