Wait for panel report; govt to oppn on special house session

Even as the BJP demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss laws on rape on Monday, the Centre said it would consider the demand of a session or all-party meet only after receiving the recommendations of panel headed by Justice JS Verma on the subject.

Even as the BJP demanded a special session of Parliament to discuss laws on rape on Monday, the Centre said it would consider the demand of a session or all-party meet only after receiving the recommendations of panel headed by Justice JS Verma on the subject.

“A special session of Parliament makes sense only when the report is received by the government,” Union finance minister P Chidambaram told reporters.

“…We have to pass a more effective law both for apprehending people and punishing people and for the procedural aspects.”

Minister of state for home, RPN Singh, too said the government would await the panel's report before taking any decision on convening an all-party meeting to discuss the rape law issue.

Even as she made this demand, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj told a Delhi BJP condolence meet for the 23-year-old Delhi rape victim: "We feel that if a murder takes place after kidnap and rape, then death penalty should be the only punishment."

The Verma panel — also comprising Justice Leila Seth and former solicitor general Gopal Subramanium — has invited suggestions from individuals, lawyers, NGOs, human rights and women organisations on making strong laws till 5 January.