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Andhra Pradesh Cabinet clears AP Disha Bill, seeks death penalty for rapists within 21 days of filing FIR

The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today has cleared the draft legislation called 'AP Disha Bill 2019' and approved death sentence for rapists within 21 days of filing an FIR. If the bill is passed, Andhra Pradesh will become the first state in India to approve death penalty for rapists. 

 

Andhra Pradesh Cabinet clears AP Disha Bill, seeks death penalty for rapists within 21 days of filing FIR
Author
Hyderabad, First Published Dec 12, 2019, 4:36 PM IST

Amaravati: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet today (December 12) cleared the draft legislation called 'AP Disha Bill 2019' and approved the death sentence for rapists within 21 days of filing an FIR.

The Cabinet proposed an amendment to the Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law following the rape and murder of 26-year-old veterinary doctor in Hyderabad.

According to the Act, the trial must be completed within 21 days and death penalty must be handed out to the rapists.

The Bill seeks to make changes to specific provisions in the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. the Disha Bill introduces Sections 354-E and 354-F in the IPC that deal with harassment of women through social media and sexual assault of children respectively.

On Wednesday (December 11), the AP Cabinet also approved another draft legislation that will pave the way for establishment of special courts to try cases of atrocities against women and children.

The Cabinet, chaired by chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy, also approved the draft 'AP Special Court for Specified Offences Against Women and Children Act, 2019.'

Under this Act, special courts will be set up in each of the 13 districts to try cases of atrocities against women and children like rape, sexual harassment, acid attacks and harassment through social media.

Depending on the gravity of the offence, the punishment will range from 10 years to life imprisonment, including under the POCSO Act. Under the POCSO Act, the current punishment is imprisonment for three-five years. 
 

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