The Centre would consult the states on the issue before bringing a Bill since it was a concurrent subject, Advani said adding that the Ministry has already written to states seeking their views.

Advani said most of the chief ministers he spoke to during the recent chief ministers' conference on prices were in favour of providing such a deterrent punishment.

He said the proposed Bill would also plug loopholes in existing law. ``Woman's character is taken into consideration in rape cases but the same is not said about men. There will be no question of going into hercharacter,'' he added.

Stating that cases have been pending in courts for years, the Home Minister said it would be a great injustice to the woman if timely justice is not given. ``There should be some provision in the law in this regard,'' he added.

Advani said the Bill has brought to light the need for stringent punishment against atrocities on women. Though there was a different school of thought that capital punishment would not serve as a deterrent punishment, the government was serious about the issue, he said.

The Home Minister said at present capital punishment could be given in case of murder but in rape case the maximum punishment was only ten years.

Khaparde said capital punishment is the ``only punishment'' that could be given to those who commit atrocities on women. She also said that the system should be foolproof and victims should get speedy justice.

Earlier, members, cutting across party lines, expressed concern at growing crimes against women and said there should be stringentpunishment on perpetrators of crime against women.

The private members' Bill was later withdrawn by Khaparde on the minister's assurance that the government would bring a Bill to deal with atrocities on women.