Bill seeking death penalty for child rape passed: Things you should know

According to the new bill, there will be stringent punishment for rapists of girls under 12

The Lok Sabha on Monday passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018, which will allowsthe  death penalty to those convicted of raping girls below the age of 12. 

The bill seeks to replace an ordinance promulgated by the government in April after an outcry over the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl in Kathua in Jammu & Kashmir. 

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill 2018 was supported by most members across the political spectrum and passed by a voice vote, PTI reported. Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, "The stringent law was aimed at providing safety to minor girls."