The Supreme Court is reviewing a public interest litigation advocating for new laws targeting sex offenders.
In a significant development on Monday, the Supreme Court requested the government’s response to a public interest litigation calling for stringent measures, including the chemical castration of sex offenders, a complete ban on free online pornography, and prohibiting bail for individuals accused of heinous crimes against women until trial proceedings commence.
A Bench led by Justice Surya Kant directed that the petition, filed by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association, be forwarded to the Attorney General of India for review and input.
The case drew attention to the alarming disconnect between existing laws and women’s safety, highlighted by the ongoing fear felt by women, even after 12 years since the tragic Nirbhaya gangrape and murder case.
Senior advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani referenced the shocking rape and murder of a postgraduate doctor in Kolkata, emphasizing the urgent need for nationwide safety guidelines for women.
Justice Kant acknowledged the proposed methods as “radical” while noting that the prevalence of crimes against women is not solely due to inadequate laws but is largely influenced by ineffective enforcement.
The petition seeks to compel the Law Commission of India to investigate the introduction of a law that incorporates “chemical castration as a punishment for all sexual offense convicts against women and children,” including permanent castration for those sentenced to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Additional recommendations included granting women access to a National Database on Sexual Offenders operated by the National Crime Records Bureau and prioritizing expedited hearings, within a six-month timeframe, for cases relating to serious crimes against women through fast-track courts.
Published – December 17, 2024 12:44 am IST
