Insta
President of India Ramnath Kovind (Photo by Vipin Kumar/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
As entire India is outraged at multiple incidents of rape and heinous crime against against women, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday (6 December) said that there should be no provision of mercy pleas for rapists of children.
In his address at an event here on Friday, Kovind said: "Rape convicts under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act should not be allowed mercy petition."
Calling women's safety a "serious issue", he said: "Parliament should review mercy petitions."
In fact, the President called for an amendment to the Constitution with regards to mercy petitions. "I recommended that there should be an amendment to the Constitution with regards to mercy petition. In my opinion, people convicted under the POCSO Act should not be allowed to come under the ambit of mercy petition."
An emotional Kovind went on to add: "There should be no mercy for rapists. These kind of incidents shocked the whole nation."
However, he added: "I am sure you share my sentiments but the final decision on this constitutional amendment lies with the Parliament."
The Parliament amended the POCSO Act in August this year to include the death penalty in cases of gruesome penetrative sexual assault by any accused who happens to be in a position of authority.
The President's suggestion comes against the backdrop of the Union Government forwarding him the Delhi government's recommendation rejecting the mercy plea of one of the four convicts in the 2012 Nirbhaya gang-rape case that shook the conscience of the nation. Meanwhile, Nirbhaya's parents too have filed an application before the President for rejection of mercy pleas of the convicts.
The story has been published via a syndicated feed, only the headline has been changed
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest