The Maharashtra government has approved a draft bill that seeks punishments such as the death penalty, life sentence, and hefty fines, and also speedy trial for heinous crimes against women and children.
The draft bill seeks to amend relevant sections of the IPC, CrPC, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
Maha cabinet approved the draft bill at a meeting and will table it at the state legislature during its upcoming winter session, Home Minister Anil Deshmukh informed PTI. He further said that the bill is to be called the “Shakti Act” and will come up for discussion and approval in both houses of the legislature. It provides for completing probes in a case within 15 days and trial within 30 days.
A statement from the chief minister’s office (CMO) said the Bill will be tabled in the legislature in two parts – the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2020, and the Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, 2020 respectively.
On receiving a yes from the houses, the bill will be sent to the Central government for approval and Presidential assent. The provisions of the new law aim to control heinous sexual offenses against women and children, Deshmukh added.
About ‘Shakti Act’
The Shakti Act demands completing investigation and trial within a stipulated time-frame and stringent punishment, including the death penalty and heavy fines, for the culprits. Special police teams and separate courts will be set up for investigation and trial of cases against women and children.
The perpetrators, if found guilty, will be punished with imprisonment for life for not less than ten years but may extend to the remainder of natural life or with death in cases that have characteristics of being heinous in nature, it mentions. Moreover, a sum of Rs.10 lakh will be given to an acid attack victim for plastic surgery and facial reconstruction and the amount will be collected as a fine from the convict as per the proposed bill.
Reasons for not completing the proceedings shall be recorded in writing by the investigating officer concerned and these may include the inability to identify the perpetrator. Then the probe period will be extended up to another seven working days.
After a charge-sheet is filed, the trial shall be conducted on a day-to-day basis and completed within a period of 30 working days. Some cases will be tried in-camera with the recording of evidence from victims and witnesses who are vulnerable.