The long arm of the state: Draconian laws often ignore the real issues

Take, for example, the issue of death penalty for those accused of raping young girls. For one, it is more likely this will lead to more rape victims being killed

President Ramnath Kovind gave his approval to two Ordinances last week, the Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance 2018 and the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018. The former empowers the government and its agencies to confiscate properties and assets of those economic offenders who flee the country in order to avoid facing Indian courts. The other Ordinance introduces death penalty for anyone convicted of raping a girl aged below 12. The Fugitive Economic Offenders Ordinance appears to be a knee-jerk reaction to criticism that the government has been facing after Vijay Mallya, a wilful defaulter, flew out of the country evading arrest.