Losing the plot on women’s safety
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Updated:
December 21, 2020 00:01 IST
The Maharashtra government’s Shakti Act takes a myopic view of the problem of sexual violence
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The Maharashtra government’s Shakti Act takes a myopic view of the problem of sexual violence
Most governments, when faced with the question of improving women’s safety, inevitably turn to enacting new laws rather than ensuring a more effective legal system. The Maha Vikas Aghadi government in Maharashtra seems no different, however well-meaning it may be.
The Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Bill, 2020, and the accompanying Special Courts and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law follow the same cliché of harsher punishment, more authorities, and wider definitions. The Bills’ content reflects the absence of a larger consultative process and lack of understanding of existing criminal laws.
Maharashtra govt sends draft Shakti bill to joint legislature panel
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Last Updated: Dec 15, 2020, 09:33 PM IST
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Synopsis
On Monday, state Home Minister Anil Deshmukh tabled the Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act, 2020, as well as Maharashtra Exclusive Special Court (for certain offences against Women and Children under Shakti Law) on the first day of the two-day winter session of the state legislature.
The report of the panel will be submitted to the legislature in the next session.
The Maharashtra government on Tuesday sent a draft bill, which provides for strict punishments including the death penalty and fine up to Rs 10 lakh for crimes such as rape, acid attack, and derogatory material on social media against women and children, to a joint committee of both houses of the state legislature. The bill, named Shakti and modelled on the Disha Act in Andhra Pradesh, also provides for completion of investigation and filing of chargesheet
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Maha govt sends draft ‘Shakti’ bill to joint legislature panel
By Mansoor| Published: 15th December 2020 10:29 pm IST
Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Tuesday sent the draft bill, which provides for strict punishments including the death penalty and fine up to Rs 10 lakh for crimes such as rape, acid attack, and derogatory material on social media against women and children, to a joint committee of both houses of the state legislature.
The bill, named ‘Shakti’ and modelled on the Disha Act in Andhra Pradesh, also provides for completion of investigation and filing of chargesheet within 15 days, and completion of trial in 30 days.
Explained: Why womens’ rights activists have criticised Maharashtra’s Bills against sexual offences
While the new law will entail enhancement of punishment for offences of rape, gangrape and penetrative sexual assault of children, the women’s rights activists say this will be counter-productive. Written by MAYURA JANWALKAR , Edited by Explained Desk | Mumbai | Updated: December 16, 2020 10:28:57 am
One of the Bill will be enacted as Shakti Act, 2020.
Two bills cleared by the Maharashtra Cabinet last week are expected to be tabled in the Legislative Assembly during the two-day Winter Session that began on Monday (December 14).
But the Bills The
Maharashtra Shakti Bill, 2020, and The Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, 2020 that enhance punishment for violence against women and children, and include the death penalty for some offences, have been criticised by promin