Union Cabinet Defers Decision on Honour Killing Punishment

Unable to reach at a consensus over punishment in honour killing cases, the Union Cabinet has decided to defer a decision to amend the IPC and the CrPC for stricter punishment for honour killing, said media reports.

After the cabinet meeting, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Ambika Soni said that the cabinet decided to set up a Group of Ministers (GoM) to consider amendments to the law, reports said.

“Views will also be sought from states,” Soni was quoted as saying.

Against the backdrop of the recent spurt in ‘honour’ killings, the Cabinet is considering stringent punishment for those involved in the crime.

Quoting unnamed sources, reports said that the bill brings honour killings under the definition of murder.

Thus, under the proposed legislation, any khap panchayat (caste council) or any group ordering honour killings or any person who carries out the diktat will be jointly liable for punishment.

The Indian Evidence Act will also be amended so as to put the onus on the accused or the Khap panchayats to prove their innocence.

Reports further said that the government intends to do away with the required 30-day notice period under the Special Marriage Act for inter-caste and inter-religion marriages.

(Based on internet reports)