#POCSOAct: Cabinet approves death-penalty for aggravated sexual crimes against minors
The Centre on Friday accepted amendments in the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and approved death penalty in cases of aggravated sexual assault of kids. Making the announcement, Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said this was done to make the law stricter. Earlier this year, an ordinance underlined rape accused, in cases where the victim is less than 12 years, would get a death sentence.
What is the POCSO Act?
The POCSO Act was enacted in 2012 to make country safer for minors. It intends to provide a robust legal framework to protect minors from sexual abuse, child pornography, and harassment. Since 2012, the Act has accepted several amendments to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Not reporting, deleting, destroying child pornography will invite heavy fine
Apart from the death penalty, other changes were announced on Friday. Another important amendment was "to protect children in natural calamities and disasters from being abused or administered hormones to attain early sexual maturity for purpose of assault." The new law also levies a heavy fine on those who don't delete or destroy child pornographic material. Not reporting child pornography will invite huge fine.
Amendments in POCSO Act hope to make kids safer
The Kathua rape case forced the government to pass ordinance
After the horrific Kathua rape case, earlier this year, the Union Cabinet approved an ordinance giving the death penalty to those accused of raping children under 12 years. Earlier, the maximum punishment for child rape was life-imprisonment. Notably, the IMF had asked the Narendra Modi government to pay more attention to such heinous cases. The Centre had also told the Supreme Court it was making laws stricter.
Separately, Cabinet approves space mission worth Rs. 10,000 crore
In addition, the government approved setting up of the National Commission for Indian System of Medicine Bill, 2018. This will replace the existing regulator Central Council for Indian Medicine and would be more transparent. A human spaceflight program ('Gaganyaan' program) was also approved. Costing Rs. 10,000 crore, three people will go to space for seven days as part of this scheme.
On Thursday, the Lok Sabha passed the Triple Talaq bill
Notably, Prasad tabled the Triple Talaq bill in the Lok Sabha on Thursday and it was passed after over four hours of heated debate. The bill was opposed by Congress, AIADMK, TRS, TMC among others who said it was unfair towards Muslim men. But the full strength of BJP in the Lower House ensured the bill, which made instant triple talaq punishable, was passed.
