Death penalty for rapists not the final solution: Former chief justice Bombay HC

Holding that death penalty to rapists was not the "final solution", former Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari today said sensitising people about sexual abuse and violence was essential to curb such heinous crimes rather than making "strong" demands.

"Normally this (demand for death penalty to rape accused) is in anguish. Anger of the people makes them speak of death penalty. It is an immediate reaction and such reactions are very strong," the (Retd) Justice said.

"Death penalty is not the final solution. The solution is to spread more awareness among people about the whole problem. What happened in Delhi is also happening in Mumbai," he felt.

Dharmadhikari said that in the rule of law, respect for law is more important than fear of punishment.

"I am surprised that inspite the presence of several persons (mechanisms) such incidents are taking place," he said.

Voicing concern over safety of girls in the metropolis, he said, "My pain is not for myself. I am not even concerned for my children. I am worried for my grand-daughters and great grand-daughters."

"We have a neighbourhood without relationship. We have lost house culture," he said, adding prevention is the solution not death penalty.

National outrage on Sunday night's incident in Delhi where a 23-year-old para-medic was raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus, has sparked a wide debate over capital punishment to perpetrators of such barbaric crimes.

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