Justice Verma Committee of change in Rape laws in India

Public support, particularly strong protests by Young generation of our country has shown the power of democracy. Where trials take years and years. Where decision making process is most tardy , people of this country made things move and just in 29 days of its constitution the high powered committee headed by Hon'ble Mr Justice J.S. Verma former CJI gives his valuable suggestions as carried in DNA News:- The Justice Verma Committee on Wednesday recommended enhancing punishment of upto 20 years imprisonment for rape and murder and life for gang-rape but refrained from suggesting death penalty. The three-member committee headed by former Chief Justice JS Verma submitted its 630-page report to the government suggesting amendment of criminal laws to provide for higher punishment to rapists, including those belonging to police and public servants. The committee did not recommend death penalty for rape because it was a "regressive step" and it "may not have a deterrent effect". "We have not recommended death penalty as we had overwhelming suggestions against it. The women groups unanimously were against death penalty and that is why we thought that is a strong reason to respect that view particularly in view of the modern trend also," Justice Verma said. Among the amendments proposed is a change in Section 100 of the IPC dealing with right of private defence which extends to causing death.