The Union Government, on Friday, approved amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.
The POCSO Act was formulated in 2012 to protect children below the age of 18 years from any kind of sexual assault, abuse, harassment and pornography.
The Union Cabinet ministers, during a meeting, yesterday, agreed to the proposed amendments to the Act. According to the new amendments, anyone who sexually assaults minors (individuals below the age of 18 years) will be imprisoned for a minimum of 20 years, which can extend to lifetime imprisonment, or death penalty as well.
Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Union Law Minister, announced the amendments, yesterday, to the POCSO Act. Addressing the media after the Cabinet meeting, Mr. Prasad said, the amendments were made to strengthen the POCSO Act and to control the increasing cases of child sexual abuse.
Speaking about the new amendments, Mr. Prasad said, “Major changes are being made to POCSO Act. Punishment has been enhanced for sexual assault of children. The changes are being introduced to prevent children from becoming victims of sexual assault.” He further added, “This is a very wholesome initiative by the Union government. The government has brought about a far-reaching amendment in the POCSO Act. Our aim is to prevent children from falling victim to sexual aggression.”
The Government of India released a statement saying, Sections 4, 5 and 6 will also be amended to “provide option of stringent punishment, including death penalty, for committing aggravated penetrative sexual assault crime on a child to protect the children from sexual abuse.” In addition it states, “In times of natural calamities and disasters and in cases where children are administered, in any way, any hormone or any chemical substance, to attain early sexual maturity for the purpose of penetrative sexual assault.”
Modifications will also be made to Sections 14 and 15 of the POCSO Act. The amendments to these Sections deal with child pornography. According to the new amendments, anyone who is found using children for child pornography will be imprisoned for a minimum 5 years. An official said, “Penal provisions have been made more stringent for storing/possessing any pornographic material in any form involving a child for commercial purpose.”
The proposed amendments made to the POCSO Act will be sent to Rajya Sabha for approval. Once approved, the amendments will come into force as a part of the POCSO Act.
