New Delhi, January 2 (IANS): Aimed to curb heinous crimes like rape which have shaken the country on many occasions with brutal assaults on minor girls as well as on adult women, and to instil fear of law, the Union Home Ministry has expedited its procedure of seeking suggestions to amend the British-era Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
Once the opinion sought from departments concerned in the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the Bureau of Police Research and Development (BPR&D), the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and Ministry of Law and among others, are received, a proposal to change certain sections will be sent to the Union Cabinet seeking it approval to put it in Parliament for a new strict law to deal with such gruesome crimes.
It is learnt that the proposal for a new law could be moved in Parliament during the upcoming Budget Session 2020, which is expected soon, officials in the know told IANS, adding the Home Ministry has "expedited" its work in this direction in consultation with the BPR&D.
The MHA is considering amendments to the IPC, the CrPC and Indian Evidence Act, said an official, requesting anonymity.
"Many suggestions have been received so far from various state police departments, judges, lawyers, and civil society to bring the IPC and the CrPC in line with a democratic functioning of the government, and it is being considered."
The suggestions include diluting the right to file an appeal or seek legal remedies in heinous crimes against women, and making forensic evidence compulsory in criminal cases where punishment is seven years or more, so that the amended law could be as strict as it "instil fear among criminals", the official said.
The MHA has allocated the task to its senior officials dealing with internal security to suggest necessary changes in the IPC and the CrPC so that internal security in the 21st century can become foolproof.
Besides, a layout for criminal investigation is also being prepared, specially based on forensic evidence to increase conviction rates, another official said.
