Speaker says only stringent punishment is not enough
The Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 12
New Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday promulgated the criminal law amendment ordinance, paving the way for providing stringent punishment, including death penalty, for those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years.
On a day President Ram Nath Kovind promulgated an ordinance proposing stringent punishment, including death penalty, to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12 years, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said only strict punishment would not result in curbing such crimes.
While expressing the need to find out causes behind rise in such incidents, the Speaker pointed out “encontinued disintegration” of families as a reason for these crimes.
“A tough law was talked about after the occurrence of such incidents (of rape). We will also give (the convicts) capital punishment. But I wanted to say you all that only punishment will not be enough. We need to think why is this happening?” said the Speaker at a function organised by the Akhil Bharatiya Kirar Dhakad Mahasabha at BHEL Dussehra Maidan here on Sunday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Fugitive Economic Offenders Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 12, but could not be taken up for discussion and passage due to the logjam in Parliament over various issues.
The ordinance seeks to confiscate properties of economic offenders like diamond merchant Nirav Modi, who have left the country to avoid facing criminal prosecution.