Maharashtra: Recent Rape Cases Spark Debate on Women’s Safety in Maharashtra. CM Eknath Shinde start Fast-Track Court and protesters want Maharahstra Shakti Criminal Law Bill 2020
Where the Kolkata doctor rape and murder case has created a dark atmosphere against women in the country and people are protesting all over the country, there again a nurse has been raped in Uttarakhand and a nurse has been murdered in Uttar Pradesh, the suspicion is that she too has been a victim of physical abuse. Now once again news of sexual abuse is coming from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
Badlapur Sexual Assault Case : Story Click Here
A girl was raped in a school in Badlapur state of Maharashtra. Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde has said that the investigation process of this case will be fast-tracked and whoever is proven guilty will not be spared. That is why a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has already been formed. IPS Arti Singh will investigate this case.
Education Minister said: Maharashtra’s Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar has said that “we will make it stronger after looking at the existing security measures. And will issue a circular in which it will be ensured that CCTV cameras are kept working in every school. And will fast-track this case and will give severe punishment to the culprits. The school principal, the class teacher and two assistants have been suspended.
A protest has started in Maharashtra over the safety of women. And giving her opinion in this protest, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said that the President of India should approve Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law so that no woman or girl has to become a victim of such a crime.
What is Sakti Criminal Law?
In December 2020, the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020—also referred to as the Shakti Bill—was presented in India.
The purpose of this measure was to make offenses against women and children in the state of Maharashtra more strictly defined.
Prominent features of the Shakti Bill include:
- Capital punishment for specific offenses: the bill instituted the death penalty for specific offenses against women and children, including rape, gang rape, and the use of acid to cause great harm. Additionally, it stipulated that penetration sexual assault of a minor under 16 years old would result in execution.
- Strengthened Penalties for Other Offenses: The bill also strengthened penalties for other offenses like hurling acid and giving false information.
- Shorter trial and investigation timeline: The law suggested a shorter trial and appeals processing timeline for specific offenses.
- Provisions to discourage false complaints: The bill included clauses designed to discourage unfounded accusations against people charged with crimes against women, including as rape and acid attacks.
The Maharashtra Legislative Assembly approved the Shakti Bill in December 2020, and the Governor signed it into law in January 2021. It has, nevertheless, come under fire, especially in light of the implementation of the death penalty. There are others who contend that the death sentence does not serve as a deterrence to crime and that it frequently targets underprivileged communities disproportionately. Some have expressed worries about the impact on victims of sexual violence and the possibility of false charges.
The Shakti Bill is considered a major step towards bolstering the legal protections for women and children in Maharashtra, notwithstanding the criticism. The effectiveness of these steps in preventing sexual assault and