The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013 passed today in India does the following:
• Amends various sections of the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, the Indian Evidence Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
• States that an offender can be sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for 20 years or more to life with a fine
• Defines stalking and voyeurism as non-bailable offences if repeated for a second time.
• Terms acid attack finally as a crime and perpetrators of acid attack will attract a 10-year jail. Plus the victim is granted right to self-defense!
• Also seeks to widen the definition of rape, broaden the ambit of aggravated rape and enhance the punishment for such crimes
• Also provides that all hospitals shall immediately provide first aid and/or medical treatment free of cost to the victims of acid attack or rape
• Also seeks to amend the Indian Evidence Act to allow a rape victim, if she is temporarily or permanently mentally or physically disabled, to record her statement before a judicial magistrate with the assistance of an interpreter or a special educator. It also has provisions to video-graph the proceedings.