The ordinance, based on the recommendations of the Justice J S Verma Committee and going beyond, also proposes to replace the word ‘rape' with ‘sexual assault' to expand the definition of all types sexual crimes against women.
The ordinance has evoked a mixed response with opposition BJP welcoming it but CPI(M) and several women's groups opposed it, attacking the government for doing “injustice” to Verma Committee recommendations.
Being brought against the backdrop of the gangrape and brutal assault of a 23-year-old girl in Delhi in December that shook the country, the ordinance entails changes in the criminal law by amending Indian Penal Code (IPC), Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) and the Evidence Act.
It also proposes enhanced punishment for other crimes against women like stalking, voyeurism, acid attacks, indecent gestures like words and inappropriate touch and brings into its ambit ‘marital rape'.
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