New Delhi [India], August 7 (NT): The Parliament on Monday passed the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 which ensures strict sentence for those who found guilty of raping girls below 12 years of age.This bill was passed in the Lok Sabha last month .On Monday it was commonly passed in Rajya Sabha by voice vote.

After the bill was passed in the Parliament, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju told that both houses of the Parliament have passed Criminal Law Amendment Bill and now Government will ensure that this act takes effect in the manner in which it has been envisage. He assured that there are various other steps are taken to ensure speedy trial.

 Worth mention here the bill will now replace the Criminal Law Ordinance, propagated by President Ram Nath Kovind on April 22. In the wake of an increase in incidents of sexual assault of minors, the Union Cabinet on April 21  gave its nod for a number of measures to amend the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2018 specifies a minimum jail term of 20 years which may go up to life in prison or death panelty, for the rape of a girl under 12 years. While convicted in the gang rape of a girl below 12 years of age will get life imprisonment or death.