J&K ordinance for death penalty to child rapists

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday approved an ordinance providing death penalty for the rape of children below 12 while also shifting the 'burden of proof' on the accused in such cases, a development that comes in the wake of outrage over the Kathua rape and murder case.

The state government, which issued a second ordinance to make the trial victim-friendly, has also added provisions to ensure a time-bound probe and fast track trial in cases of such crimes, a minister said.

Only last week, the Centre had brought an ordinance to amend the Protection of Children From Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

In cases of rape, where the victim is a child up to the age of 12, we have provided for death penalty to those found guilty, Jammu and Kashmir Law Minister Abdul Hak Khan told reporters here today.

The state Cabinet, which met under Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, approved two ordinances to provide stringent punishment including death penalty for those convicted of rape of minor girls, the minister said.

"One ordinance is the criminal law ordinance 2018, in which enhancement of punishment in rape victim cases is provided and the second is Jammu and Kashmir protection of children from sexual violence ordinance," Khan said.

We are amending the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC) criminal procedure and evidence act, Khan, who flanked by State Finance Minister Syed Altaf Bukhari, said.