Panel to look into sexual assault cases: HC

Delhi High Court on Tuesday constituted a five-member committee to examine the quantum of punishment and death sentence in cases of sexual assault against women and children and suggest suitable steps.

Hearing pleas filed by two NGOs, a bench of acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar said there cannot be any possible objection to setting up a committee to look into the issue and suggest preventive measures to control such crimes and appropriate sentencing.

The court was also of the view that an important aspect related to such crimes was reformation of the persons convicted. “Reformation of the convicts is the real need of society,” it said.

As regards the panel, the court accepted the names -Vidya Reddy (TULIR, an organisation working on the prevention and healing of child sexual abuse in India), Vrinda Bhandari (an advocate) and Swagata Raha (Centre for Child and Law, NLSIU) -- suggested by amicus curiae Aparna Chandra and asked the counsel to take instructions from the Centre on remuneration to be paid to the members.

The bench noted that the names suggested by the amicus were of experts dealing with the issue of sexual violence against women and children and are also actively engaged in ground level work.

More members are likely to be added to the panel.

The court said the remuneration aspect has to be urgently considered by the central government and listed the matter for hearing on August 16.

The bench was hearing two PILs challenging the proposed amendment in the criminal law to prescribe death sentence for gang rape of girl under 12 years of age.

NEW DELHI: