Kejriwal wants to reduce cut off age of juvenile rapists to 15; appoints GoM

Following the rapes of two minors in the national capital on Friday, Aam Aadmi Party has created a Group of Ministers (GoM) to examine the possibility of reducing the cut off age for juvenile perpetrators to 15 years and ensure life imprisonment to those found guilty of raping minors.

Delhi government on Monday, appointed a GoM to examine whether the existing law can be amended to ensure death penalty or life imprisonment to those involved in raping minors and to lower the cut off age of juveniles found guilty in such cases, besides to explore possibility of setting up special police stations.

"It would examine whether related laws could be amended for giving death penalty/life imprisonment in cases of rape of a minor. Also, the age of juvenile should be brought down to 15 in cases of rape/murder and other heinous crime," said Arvind Kejriwal.

The decision to appoint the GoM, which will finalise the report within 15 days, was taken at a Cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal to discuss the law and order situation in the wake of rape of two minors including a two-and-half-year-old child in the city.

Briefing reporters, Kejriwal said a Commission of Inquiry will be set up within a week to examine issues relating to women safety and that a list of rape cases pending in various courts in Delhi will be prepared to fast-track them.

"Since CrPC and IPC are subjects in concurrent list over which Delhi Government has executive powers, GoM will examine and submit a report on whether Delhi Government can set up special police stations to register and investigate crime against women in those cases where women do not get satisfactory response from local police stations," said Kejriwal. He added that the GoM will submit a concrete proposal so that an amendment bill can be laid in next session of the Assembly.

The Chief Minister said Delhi government was ready to spend funds to set up new courts and improve the existing infrastructure in this regard.

The GoM will also examine whether the investigating officer can be held accountable in case of delay in filing charge sheets relating to cases of sexual violence against women, he said.

The GoM will also suggest measures for expeditious delivery of justice.

(With inputs from PTI)