Parliament Passes New POCSO Bill Providing Death Penalty for Aggravated Child Abuse

Responding to the debate on The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said it aims at making offences against children gender neutral.

New Delhi: The Parliament on Thursday passed a bill seeking to provide death penalty for aggravated sexual assault on children and greater punishments for other crimes against minors. While Rajya Sabha had already passed the bill, it was cleared by Lok Sabha on Thursday by a voice vote. Responding to the debate on The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences  (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Women and Child Development Minister Smriti Irani said it aims at making offences against children gender neutral. The Bill defines child pornography, making it punishable. This bill is not related with vote bank politics but to save the future of India, Irani said. Seeking to take the stringent provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act further, a Lok Sabha member on Thursday demanded that those convicted in such crimes be hanged publicly. Hanuman Beniwal (RLP), while participating in the debate on the bill to amend the POCSO Act, said those convicted for such crimes be hanged publicly so that it becomes a deterrent. Kirron Kher (BJP) said in case the convicts  cannot be sent to the gallows, they should be chemically castrated. "Let such men feel the pain," she said in Lok Sabha. Cutting across party lines, members supported amendments to POCSO Act though some demanded that Bill be referred to the standing committee or select committee as it makes certain offences punishable with death. Parliament approved the bill, after the Lower House passed it by voice vote.