Smriti Singh | TNN
New Delhi: In an observation that is bound to spark a debate, a Delhi trial court on Saturday advocated the use of “chemical castration” as an alternative to a jail term for rapists.
Urging legislators to explore alternative sentences like chemical castration in such cases, additional sessions judge (ASJ) Kamini Lau said: “The Indian legislatures are yet to take notice of this alarming situation and address the issue (of rape) with all seriousness by exploring the possibility of permitting imposition of alternative sentences of surgical castration or chemical castration, particularly in cases involving rape of minors, serial offenders and child molesters or as a condition for probation, or as an alternative sentence in case of plea bargaining.”
The court’s remarks came while it was hearing the case against a man who had raped his 15-year-old step-daughter for over four years. Though the court sentenced him to 10 years of RI, it said that such crimes were required to be addressed differently. “A full public debate with regard to imposition of castration (both surgical and chemical) as an alternative punishment for the offence of rape and molestation is the need of the hour,” ASJ Lau said. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on convict Dinesh Yadav, 35, a labourer.
It directed that a copy of the order be sent to the secretary of ministry of law and justice, Government of India and national commission for women.
The Indian Penal Code provides only a jail term for sexual offenders.
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