Madhya Pradesh proposes death for rape of children aged 12 or less

BHOPAL: The cabinet of Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh has decided to push for capital punishment for rapists who target children aged 12 years and less. The death penalty will also be awarded to convicts of gang rape cases, said the state's Finance Minister Jayant Malaiya. The cabinet has cleared an amendment in the penal code which will stipulate the new punishments. It will also increase the fine and punishment for rape convicts. The amendment will be presented in the winter session of the state assembly, which begins on Monday.

In the last cabinet meeting, a few ministers including Mallaiya and rural development minister Gopal Bhargava had expressed concern that a death sentence would pose a bigger threat, as rapists would kill their victims. The Chief Minister took more time for further deliberations and inputs, sources said.