The Lok Sabha today passed a Bill which provides for natural life term or even death for repeat offenders of rape and other stringent punishment for various offences like stalking, voyeurism and acid attacks.
The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill-2013, brought against the backdrop of the country-wide outrage over the Delhi gangrape, also makes it clear that the age of consent for sex would be 18 years, which was a sticking point with political parties.
“I wish to state that we are enacting the strict law to act as a deterrent,” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said, replying to a nearly six-hour debate on the Bill.
The Bill seeks to replace an Ordinance promulgated on February 3, which will expire on April 4. It seeks to amend the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Indian Evidence Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The Bill was passed after all amendments moved by the Opposition and one by UPA constituent NCP for a life-term for perpetrators of acid attacks were defeated.