BJP may include death penalty in list of suggestions for Verma panel

After dithering for more than a fortnight, the BJP is learnt to have decided to submit its suggestions on framing stronger anti-rape laws to the Justice Verma Committee after the scheduled deadline got over last Saturday.

Party sources on Tuesday confided that the first draft of its suggestions has been worked out, but a final shape will be given only after consultation with top party leaders on Wednesday before presenting it to the committee.

The party had earlier publicly indicated its aversion to present its suggestions to the committee on the pretext that it will present its suggestions on the floor of Parliament. It, in fact, had taken objection to the government not agreeing to its suggestion of calling a special session of Parliament or an all-party meeting to deliberate on this issue.

The party appeared to have changed its position after it found itself on the backfoot after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat's remarks regarding women and crimes in cities attracted wide-spread criticism.

The BJP suggestions would include deterrent punishment, incoroporation of definition of eve-teasing, ways to incorporate guidelines against sexual harassment in work places as outlined by the SC into the law, and strengthening the judicial process for speedy delivery of justice.

While castration as a punishment is unlikely to find place in its suggestions, party leaders hinted that death penalty as a deterrant against brutal rape offences may be on the table.

ALSO READ

Stick to CBSE, NCERT books, schools told

Delhi University VC makes his case for shift to four-year undergraduate courses

Uttar Pradesh: Panchayat orders 'rapist' to be burnt alive

Siddaramaiah sworn in, unveils Rs 4,400-cr sops