Sexual assault: women cops must record statement

To aid women who complain against sexual assault and attempts to outrage their modesty, the government has proposed to Parliament that victims' statements should only be recorded by lady police officers.

To aid women who complain against sexual assault and attempts to outrage their modesty, the government has proposed to Parliament that victims' statements should only be recorded by lady police officers.

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In a series of changes in existing criminal law cleared by the cabinet on Thursday, the jail term for those making indecent comments or gestures has also been steeply hiked.

In a fresh addition to the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), the government has proposed: "If the information is given by the woman against whom an offence under the sections of Indian Penal Code dealing with sexual assault and outraging their modesty is alleged to have been committed or attempted, then such information shall only be recorded, as far as possible by a woman police officer."

As reported by the Hindustan Times on Thursday, the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012, approved by the cabinet, also proposes to replace the term "rape" with "sexual assault".

The fresh changes in the criminal also provide for a life imprisonment to those found guilty of sexual assault and acid attacks.

For the first time, a fine of Rs. 10 lakh will be imposed on acid attackers, which will be paid as compensation to victims.

Other changes proposed in the IPC include enhancing the maximum punishment for those found guilty of assaulting or using criminal force, intending to outrage her modesty from two to five years.

For those, found guilty of intending to insult the modesty of any woman, through spoken word or gesture, could face jail up to three years.

Fresh changes in the Indian Evidence Act debar the police and courts from asking any questions related to the "character of the victim and her previous sexual experience with anyone."