Parties fail to reach a consensus on controversial anti-rape bill

[email protected] (CD Network)
March 18, 2013
New Delhi, Mar 18: An all-party meet to discuss the controversial anti-rape bill failed to reach a consensus Monday following differences over lowering the age of consent to 16 years, and making stalking and voyeurism punishable under the law.

Political parties will meet again at 12.30 p.m. to evolve a consensus on the issue.

rape“We had an all-party meeting in the morning on the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013. The ordinance was brought by the government and has to be replaced by a bill,” said Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath.

“Largely there is consensus on contents of the bill, except that there are concerns about misuse and abuse of some of the provisions and parties have suggested there should be adequate measures for safeguard. And what those measures should be, we will discuss in the next few hours,” he said.

The minister said there were also differences over lowering age of consent to 16 years, from the present 18.

“There are also differences of opinion over the age of consent being (lowered to) 16 years. We will again be meeting at 12.30 p.m. and all issues will be discussed. And if required, the government will bring amendments along with the bill so that it can be put up for consideration and passing in the Lok Sabha and then Rajya Sabha,” he said.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) have expressed reservations on the clause for lowering the age for consensual sex to 16 years.

Last week, the government managed to resolve the differences over the bill within the cabinet with a group of ministers debating controversial clauses threadbare.

The ministers differed on the use of word "rape" in place of "sexual assault", lowering of age of consent from 18 to 16 years and the definition of voyeurism and stalking, punishable under the bill.

The bill also proposes the death penalty in the rarest of rare cases for rape and for repeat offenders.

It also incorporated suggestions of the Justice J.S. Verma Committee, which was formed to offer suggestions on making anti-rape laws stronger.

The issue has been in sharp focus after the brutal assault and gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi Dec 16 last year. She succumbed to her injuries Dec 29 in a Singapore hospital, where she had been airlifted for treatment.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, will replace the ordinance promulgated by President Pranab Mukherjee Feb 3.

It has to be passed by April 4, within six weeks from Feb 21, when parliament's budget session started.

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News Network
June 10,2020

New Delhi, Jun 10: Delhi recorded 1,366 fresh cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, taking the tally to 31,309, while the death toll mounted to 905, authorities said on Wednesday.

According to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government's health department, there are 18,543 active cases, while 11,861 patients have either recovered, been discharged or migrated.

No health bulletin was issued on Tuesday.

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Agencies
April 24,2020

New Delhi, Apr 24: The Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) on Friday accused Delhi Police of framing two of its members - Meeran Haider, Safoora Zargar, along with student leader Umar Khalid, as part of "an imaginary conspiracy behind the recent North East Delhi riots".

While Haider was arrested on April 2, Zargar was taken in custody on April 10 for their alleged involvement in fuelling the riots.

"These arrests by the police have little ground, and the charges seem to have no rhyme or reason. Safoora was even granted bail in the case she was initially arrested in, following which she was arrested and had heavier charges placed against her," the JCC said in a statement.

Meeran, Safoora and Umar have been charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), which allows curbing of fundamental rights in order to protect the sovereignty of India. The JCC, however, claimed that in this case, the Act is being used to suppress their voices.

"This Act has been used against many activists working to protect constitutional morality, a list which now includes members of the JCC, a wholly constitutionalist collective of students and alumni," the JCC said, defending its members.

JCC maintained it had no role in Delhi riots, but apprehended that more people will be arrested by the Delhi Police as part of its conspiracy against students and protestors.

"It is almost certain that more protesters will be framed and arrested in the conspiracy invented by the Delhi Police. JCC reiterates that it played no part in the riots, and this fact will be proved before any court of law," it said in a statement.

It also demanded political parties, and university administration take a stand for the two accused JCC members and student leader Umar Khalid.

The JCC came into existence after a violent face-off between Delhi Police and unruly anti-CAA protestors left Jamia Millia Islamia vandalised. It was after this, that a group of students from the Jamia Millia formed it to decide upon the future course of actions in protest against the CAA and the police action.

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News Network
March 31,2020

Srinagar, Mar 31: In order to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the Jammu and Kashmir administration on Tuesday declared 20 villages of Kashmir division as 'red zone'.
"20 villages including Parray Mohala Hajin, Chandergeer Hajin, Batagund Hajin in Bandipora district, Gudoora, Chandgam, Pinglena, Parigam, Abhama, Sangerwani and Khaigam in Pulwama district, Waskura in Ganderbal, Sedew, and Ramnagri in Shopian district have been declared as red zones," said Department of Information and Public Relations, J-K, in a tweet.

In Srinagar district, Mehjoor Nagar, Natipora, Lal Bazar, Eidgah and Shalteng villages have been declared as red zones.

"Chadoora in Budgam district of Kashmir division has also been declared as red zone," another tweet said.

The total number of COVID-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir climbed to 49 after 11 more people tested positive in the Union Territory on Monday. While three of these cases were reported from Jammu region, eight were from the Kashmir division.

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