Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Assembly, today, approved the Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019 (Andhra Pradesh Criminal Law (Amendment Act), 2019. The bill will pave way to award death penalty for those convicted of rape and gang rape.
The bill also stipulates that the judicial process must completed within 21 days. This would drastically lower the delay in delivering justice to the victims. The bill now awaits the nod of the Governor.
The bill was drafted with the sole aim of giving harsh punishment, including the death sentence, for those committing serious crimes against women. The Disha Act comes in the wake of the rape and murder of a veterinary doctor by four accused. Her body was also burned after she was strangulated to death. All the accused was shot dead by the police when they tried to escape.
The Chief Minister, Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, had earlier said that if there were conclusive evidences in cases of serious crimes against women such as rape and acid attack, then the trial will be completed within 14 days. The judgment will be given within 21 days.
The Cabinet also paved way for the Andhra Pradesh Special Court for Specified Offences against Women and Children Act, 2019. Under this act, special courts will be established in each district to put an end to crimes against women and children.
In addition, those who upload posts on social media that degrades women’s reputation will face serious legal action. Crimes against children will also attract serious punishment.
