Mumbai journalist case first test for new rape law
The Mumbai case will be the first major test for the new anti-rape law, which provides for the guilty to be kept behind bars throughout their lives in gang-rape cases.
The Mumbai case will be the first major test for the new anti-rape law, which provides for the guilty to be kept behind bars throughout their lives in gang-rape cases.
“Where a woman is raped by one or more persons constituting a group…they shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term of not less than 20 years and which may extend to the remainder of these persons’ lives,” says the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 2013, which came into existence in April following the outrage over the Delhi gang rape.
It also states that the guilty have to pay a fine that will cover the medical expenses and rehabilitation cost of the victim.
But much will depend on the swiftness of the police in arresting the accused and preparing the charge sheet. “The trial shall as far as possible be completed within two months of filing the charge sheet,” the new law states.