Rapists Must Get Death Sentence : CM

Bhopal: The Chief Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan has recommended death sentence in case of rape on women. He has also given important suggestions for protection of rights of rape victims. Shri Chouhan has sent a set of recommendations to Justice J.S. Verma Committee for making stringent legal provisions and amending existing ones to prevent violence against women.
Referring to specific circumstances in which rape is committed, the chief minister said that death sentence must be given in cases in which rape victim is killed after rape incidence, or is made incapable of living natural and normal life or she gets infected by HIV/STD or commits suicide within one year of incidence  and dies due to rape.
Regarding penal provisions mentioned in section 376(1) and (2) of Indian Penal Code, the Chief Minister has written to the Justice JS Verma Committee that the punishment should be increased from seven to 14 years along with the provision of death sentence. Similarly, punishment under section 376(2) should also be raised from seven to 14 years. He said that the Criminal Law Amendment Bill 2012 does mention the provision of death sentence. This Bill must be reviewed.
Shri Chouhan suggested taking seriously the incidence of sexual assaults committed in violation of Trust. He informed that Criminal Law Amendment Bill does not regard the position of Trust between Teachers-Students while many incidents occur due to abuse of Trust. He said that driver and conductors of a transport vehicle should also be held responsible and hard punishment should be pronounced. In cases where third party is forced to commit rape or to commit sexual assault or watch such an act, such offences should be treated more harshly.
Shri Chouhan said that the perpetrator is given an opportunity before pronouncing the final part of judgment, but not prosecutrix or her family. This needs amendment on the basis of concept of equality. Regarding bail to accused of rape, the Chief Minister said that giving bail is a sensitive matter. The perpetrator may terrorize the victim during period of bail and therefore bail in such cases should not be given by the trial Court until it believes that the accused is not likely to commit such an act during bail.
The Chief Minister said that the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly has taken an initiative by introducing section 354-A in IPC according to which use of criminal force to assault women, outrage her modesty and compel her to be naked on any public place the punishment will not be less than one year and may be extended to ten years. He said that this provision should be applied across the country.
The Chief Minister suggested keeping record of personal data of habitual criminals at national and state and district level.  Web based data should also be maintained so that they could be debarred from getting State-sponsored benefits and facilities.
Shri Chouhan said that victims suffering from rape trauma syndrome may be unable to gather courage to file FIR in the right earnest. Referring to section 154 of CrPC,  he said that in such cases Courts may not draw any inference only from the length of any delay between the alleged commission of offence and reporting.
Referring to section 357 –A of Criminal Procedure Code, the Chief Minister said that the Victim Assistance Scheme should be prepared by States. The concerning courts recommend district and states legal service authorities for compensation. At present the victim gets assistance in the form of financial help and first-aid treatment while the incidence of rape is not merely a physical assault. The Chief Minister suggested that the victim should immediately get legal representation of certain eminence. The legal assistance should be provided to her by the Police Station as she is in state of shock. Keeping a list of advocates willing to help victims should be mandatory. The rape victim has to discontinue her employment for sometime and therefore compensation must be given to her. All states must have Helpline facility and it should be mandatory to provide medical, psychological counseling to the victim.
The Chief Minister said that the there should be national level instructions and guidelines for police and medical officers to check violence against women. Rights of victim should also be declared. She must have right to unbiased treatment, and protect privacy, have information about legal remedies to protect her rights, getting herself and perpetrator tested against HIV/STD and give a victim impact statement to the prosecutor etc. He said that the victim should get free medical help for which legal provisions should be made as many developed countries are enacting.