Correct option is B
The
Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated on
21 April, 2018, which later became the
Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 when it was passed by Parliament. This Ordinance was enacted in response to the growing public outrage over sexual offenses, particularly after incidents like the Kathua rape case. The purpose of the Amendment was to introduce stringent punishments for crimes such as rape, especially involving minors.
Information Booster
Key Features of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018:
1.
Death Penalty for Rape of Children Under 12: The Act introduced the
death penalty as the maximum punishment for the rape of girls under the age of 12 years. This amendment aimed to deter heinous crimes against young children and ensure justice for victims.
2.
Increased Punishment for Rape of Minors:
· For the
rape of girls under 16 years, the minimum punishment was increased from
10 years to
20 years and can extend to
life imprisonment.
· The minimum punishment for
rape of women was raised from
7 years to
10 years, which is extendable to
life imprisonment.
3.
Faster Investigation and Trial:
· The Amendment mandates that investigations in cases of rape must be completed within
two months.
· Similarly, the trial must also be completed within
two months from the filing of the charge sheet, ensuring
fast-tracked justice for victims.
4.
Appeal Process:
· Any appeal in rape cases must be disposed of within
six months by the High Court, which is crucial for ensuring timely justice.
5.
Bail Restrictions:
· The Amendment made obtaining
bail more difficult for the accused in rape cases, especially those involving children under 16 years.
Additional Knowledge
(a) 11 August, 2018
This date marks the formal passing of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 in Parliament, but the provisions had already come into force from 21 April, 2018, through the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance. Therefore, while the Act received formal parliamentary approval on 11 August, the law had been in effect since the date of the Ordinance.
(c) 1 September, 2018
There is no significant legislative event regarding the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018 on this date. Therefore, this option is incorrect.
(d) 1 July, 2018
Similarly, this date holds no specific relevance to the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018, making it an incorrect option.
