Rising Rapes: After Parliament Outrage, Centre Says Open to Exploring Stringent Norms
Representational Image. Image Courtesy: ANI
New Delhi: Lok Sabha members on Monday expressed outrage over rape cases in various parts of the country, including the Hyderabad rape and murder case, even as the Centre said it was ready for a discussion and willing to explore stringent provisions in laws to check such incidents.
Responding to a discussion during Zero Hour in the wake of the rape and murder of a veterinarian in Hyderabad, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said he was falling short of words to condemn the heinous crime.
"We are ready for discussions in the House so that stringent provisions in laws could be explored to give punishment to those involved in such ghastly incidents," he said.
He observed that such heinous crimes were happening even after strict law were framed post the Nirbhaya incident.
As soon as the House met for the day, Speaker Om Birla said he would allow members to raise the "serious issue" in the Zero Hour.
Terming the rape of the young veterinarian in Hyderabad as "painful" and an "inhuman" incident, Uttam Kumar Reddy (INC) slammed the Telangana Home Minister for his purported "insensitive" remarks. He also slammed the state police for the delay in lodging a case.
Congress also blamed the sale of liquor in Telangana for the unfortunate incident and demanded that fast track court should pronounced a quick verdict and hang the accused.
T R Baalu (DMK) raised the issue of sexual assault of a schoolgirl in Coimbatore. Those involved in the crime should be punished, Baalu said, adding the government should come forward and ensure time-bound action.
Terming the rape of the veterinarian as a "heinous crime", Saugata Roy (TMC) said the House should take cognizance of this serious incident and urged the Centre to immediately frame laws to make rape punishable by death sentence.
Bandi Sanjay Kumar (BJP) was of view that when such incidents take place "we need to implement punishment on the spot.
Pinaki Misra (BJD) questioned the delay in executing the death sentence awarded to convicts in the Nirbhaya gang-rape case.
He said laws and establishment of fast track courts will not make a difference till the time the death sentence is not executed.
Expressing grief over the incident, Speaker Om Birla said, "We in one voice" condemn such incidents.
On November 29, four men, aged between 20 and 24, were arrested on charges of raping and killing the young woman veterinarian in Hyderabad.
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