SunstarTV Bureau: The Maharashtra government became the first state in India to approve the draft on Shakti Act that will give death penalty for rape.
The Maharashtra cabinet has approved the draft for Shakti and capital punishment for rape. This law will now be tabled in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during the winter session.
Speaking about the development, Maharashtra Home Minister, Anil Deshmukh said, “Today we did discuss the draft for Shakti Act. This act is to safeguard women and Children. This draft has provision of capital punishment for offenders of heinous crimes against women and children.”
This act has the provision of special courts and filing of charge sheet in 15 days. The trials will take place within 30 days.
Yashomati Thakur, Maharashtra’s Women and Child Development Minister said it is a “historic decision, This law will help us protect women and children of our state.”
Key features of Maharashtra’s ‘Shakti Act 2020’
- 15-day limit for investigation of the crimes, which may get extended by seven days for a valid reason
- Trial to be taken on a day-to-day basis and completed within 30 days from filing charge sheet. The case must be dismissed within 45 days.
- Special courts & police teams to be set up in every district
- Maintaining a women and children offenders registry
- Acid attack to be made non-bailable offence with imprisonment not less than 10 years, which may be extended to life imprisonment or death. A fine may also be levied up to Rs 10 lakh.
- With women being harassed on social media, the act recommends two years’ imprisonment with fine up to Rs 1 lakh.
