Mumbai (Maharashtra): The much-discussed Shakti Bill was introduced in the two-day winter session of the Legislature. Home Minister Anil Deshmukh introduced the bill in the Assembly. The Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law (Maharashtra Amendment) Act 2020 and the Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law 2020 were introduced in the legislature. This will help in curbing the atrocities against women.
Shakti Act will be on the lines of Andhra Pradesh's 'Disha' Act.
The Andhra Pradesh government has enacted a guideline to prevent incidents of violence against women and children. Sanjay Kumar along with Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and Director General of Police Subodh Jaiswal and other senior officials had visited Andhra Pradesh to understand the direction of legislation in Maharashtra based on this law. A committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Ashwathi Dorje, Director, Maharashtra Police Academy, Nashik, to study the Andhra Pradesh Direction Act and draft a bill for Maharashtra. The drafts of the two bills were tabled before the Cabinet on March 12, 2020, as mentioned above by the committee. In the Cabinet meeting, it was decided to set up a Cabinet Sub-Committee to scrutinize the Bill and prepare a draft of the Bill. A sub-committee was appointed under the chairmanship of Minister Ashok Chavan. Minister Anil Deshmukh, Minister Eknath Shinde, Minister Jayant Patil, Minister Yashomati Thakur and Minister Varsha Gaikwad were the members of this committee.
The bill will be passed on Tuesday- Anil Deshmukh
Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh said, "We are going to pass the Shakti Act, which is a great shield for the safety of women in the state." The much-discussed Shakti Bill was tabled in the two-day winter session of the on Monday today. The law will be discussed and passed on Tuesday. We introduced the Shakti Act in the Legislative Assembly to stop the atrocities against women. It provides for stern action against the accused in the event of an incident.
The salient features of the proposed legislation are as follows:
1) New crimes are defined.
2) Threatening and defaming women through social media.
3) Making false allegations about rape, molestation and acid attack.
4) Companies providing social media, internet and mobile services not cooperating in the investigation.
5) Non-cooperation in the investigation by a public servant.
6) There were restrictions on printing the name of the rape victim. The same restrictions were imposed on molestation and acid attacks.
Other features
The trial is to begin in 21 days. A non-bailable case will be filed in a rape case. Provision of the death penalty in very special cases, or life imprisonment and fine. Provision of life imprisonment or death penalty in case of rape by an acquaintance. Provision of the death penalty in cases of cruelty to women. Life imprisonment for violence against girls below the age of 16 years. Provision of 20 years rigorous imprisonment or life imprisonment, fine of Rs 10 lakh or death penalty in case of gang rape. In case of gang rape of a girl below 16 years of age, life imprisonment or life imprisonment, fine of Rs. 10 lakhs. Strict life imprisonment and fine of Rs 10 lakh. Criminals who repeatedly abuse women are sentenced to life imprisonment.
14 years imprisonment for acid attackers
All offences will be non-bailable. A government servant who does not cooperate with the investigation in a rape case is imprisoned and fined up to two years. In case of an acid attack, the victim will have to pay a fine or face ten years or life imprisonment. Imprisonment for 10 to 14 years for attempting to throw acid. Penalties have been provided for acid attacks and the amount is proposed to be paid to the victim for medical treatment and plastic surgery. At least 2 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1 lakh for any form of harassment of a woman. Punishment for commenting on women through social media, mail, messages, electronic media, threatening, spreading false information but also punishment.
Duration of the investigation
The investigation period has been extended from two months to 15 working days. The trial period has been increased from two months to 30 working days. The period of appeal has been reduced from six months to 45 days. New court system is proposed. 36 Unique special courts are proposed to be set up.
It is proposed to appoint a Special Police Squad (District Superintendent / Commissionerate) comprising at least one female officer to investigate crimes against women and children in each unit. It is proposed to notify charitable organizations to help and assist the victims.
