Indian Cabinet clears ordinance to award death penalty to child rapists

In a significant move, the Indian Cabinet has approved ordinance to award death penalty to those convicted of raping children up to 12 years of age. Furthermore, investigations in case of rape of minors will be now concluded within three months of its cognisance.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called a special cabinet meeting to look into two important ordinances. One was on the capital punishment to those who are convicted of raping children below the age of 12. The other ordinance was to look into the provisional attaching the property of suspected economic offenders who have fled the country.

After the recent rape cases in Unnao and Kathua, a lot of voices were being raised for bringing a law which would make death penalty mandatory for child rapists.

WATCH| Union Minister Maneka Gandhi Demands Death Penalty For Kathua Rapists

Earlier, political bigwigs like Union Minister Maneka Gandhi and Jammu-Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti had said that they were intending to bring a law which would seek death penalty for child rapists.

"I have been deeply disturbed by the rape case in Kathua and all the recent rape cases that have happened in recent past. I and the ministry intend to bring an amendment in the POCSO act  asking for the death penalty for rape on children below 12 years," said Maneka Gandhi.

The entire country is reeling with anger and disbelief at the Unnao, Kathua and Surat rape cases involving a 17-year-old, a 6-year-old girl and an 11-year-old respectively.

READ| Centre Contemplating Capital Punishment For Rapists Of Minors, Say Sources

Following the heinous rape incidents, Republic TV had also been running #DeathForRapists campaign. Citizens along with political leaders had joined the campaign to demand death penalty for child rapists.