Haryana passes bill to give death penalty to rapists of girls below 12

What: Death penalty for rape/gang rape of girls below 12 years.

Where: Haryana

When: March 15

• Haryana Legislative Assembly on March 15 passed ‘The Criminal Law (Haryana Amendment) Bill, 2018’ proposing death penalty and rigorous imprisonment not less than 14 years in respect of rape/gang rape of girls below 12 years.
• After Madhya pradesh and Rajasthan, Haryana is the third state to do pass such a bill.
• As per the bill, the punishment of 14 years may be extended to imprisonment for life that is for remainder of the person’s natural life, as per provisions in the bill.
• The Bill also proposes punishment not less than 2 years and up to 7 years in case of assault with intent to outrage the modesty of the girl.
• Similarly, the punishment for stalking has also been proposed in respect of second conviction which shall be not less than 3 years and up to 7 years.
• The Act shall come into force on the date of its publication in the Official Gazette.