‘DEATH FOR RAPING MINORS’

The Centre told the Supreme Court on Friday that the process to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has been launched, and the special legislation would include the death penalty as a punishment for raping children under 12.

Additional solicitor general PS Narasimha also placed before the court a letter from the deputy secretary of the Union ministry of women and child development, which stated that an amendment to the law was under active consideration. “The ministry proposes to amend the POCSO Act-2012 to introduce the death penalty for abusers in cases of aggravated sexual assault against children,” it read.

NEW DELHI: