Verma report submitted without state’s inputs

Even as the justice JS Verma committee submitted its report on making rape laws stronger to the Centre, the Maharashtra government is yet to submit its suggestions, rendering the exercise almost futile.

Even as the justice JS Verma committee submitted its report on making rape laws stronger to the Centre, the Maharashtra government is yet to submit its suggestions, rendering the exercise almost futile.

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The deadline for sending recommendations to the panel was January 5 and the state is more than two weeks late.

Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, on Wednesday, admitted that suggestions of the state were yet

to be sent to the committee. "There has been discussion on this issue, the letter (of state recommendations) has not been sent. It will be sent soon."

While Chavan did not divulge the recommendations, sources said this included a slew of legal measures including making eve-teasing a cognisable offence and molestation and rape non-bailable offences. Other suggestions include increasing maximum prison term for sexual offences and treating certain rape cases at par with attempt to murder and murder.