NEW DELHI,JAN, 11 : Hearing Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association’s plea seeking chemical castration of child rapists, a bench of Justices Dipak Misra and N V Ramana was unequivocal on harsher punishment but stopped short of issuing a direction to the Centre, saying changing the law was Parliament’s domain.
“We can suggest harsher punishment in child rape cases. But we cannot direct a particular punishment for the crime. This is in the realm of legislature and within the domain of Parliament. It is up to Parliament to take a decision,” the bench said while disposing of the petition.
Chemical castration involves the administration of antiandrogen drugs which reduce sex drive, compulsive sexual fantasies and capacity for sexual arousal.
The bench said there was no specific provision for child rape in the Indian Penal Code, which talked about rape of minor women. It said rape of toddlers or girls of 2-10 years of age stood on a different footing than rape of minor girls and Parliament should consider making a provision to deal with child rape cases.
