Anusree Jana, Kolkata : The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019 was introduced by Union Minister of Women And Child Development, Smriti Irani on Tuesday.
The POCSO Amendment Bill 2019 includes the death penalty for aggravated assault against children and stringent punishment for other crimes against minors. The Bill also entails charging fine and imprisonment to curb child pornography.
The bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday with supports from members regardless of their political alliance. It will now be sent in the Lok Sabha for approval.
The Bill retains strict punishment for unthinkable sexual crimes against children and such act against children under16 will be punished “Whoever commits aggravated penetrative sexual assault shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall be not less than 20 years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of natural life of that person and shall also be liable to fine or with death,”.
This bill has given Centre additional power to act in cases “for the manner of deleting or destroying or reporting about pornographic material in any form involving a child to the designated authority”.
This amended POCSO bill included punishments for crimes like injecting chemicals or hormones: “Whoever persuaded, induced enticed or coerced administers, or directs/helps in getting administered in any drug or hormone or any chemical substance to a child with the intent that the child attains early sexual maturity,”
Smriti Irani accepted the fact that the number of crimes against minors is increasing and there are 1.66 lakh cases are pending at various stages in high Courts across the country.
Minister Irani said: “Recognising that justice delayed is justice denied, the government has sanctioned 1023 fast track courts, particularly to be made for dispensing cases which were pending under POCSO.”
She added: “The government reached out to each state and 18 states have consented to set up this court,”
The government is taking appropriate actions and allocating fund to ensure the enforcement of POCSO Amendment bill 2019, as is conveyed in Smriti’s response to the bill:”We have ensured that an expenditure of Rs 767 crore of which the government of India support would be Rs 474 crore is now given so that these fast track courts are established within the limited time frame of 2019-2021,”
The bill was supported and lauded by various party members regardless of their political connection.
Janata Dal United’s Kahkashan Perween supported the bill as to her the bill will dish out appropriate punishment for convicts.
Congress leader Vivek K. Tankha responded to the bill saying, “I welcome the Bill. But the stringent provisions are not stopping such incidents.”
AIADMK leader Vijila Sathyananth stood with the bill and demanded castration as punishment for rape of a minor.
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