Anti-rape bill tabled in Lok Sabha

Zeenews Bureau

New Delhi: The proposed anti-rape bill, which was cleared by the Union Cabinet last week, has been introduced in Lok Sabha on Tuesday by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Union Cabinet had agreed yesterday to keep the age of consent for sex at 18 years from 16 and amend provisions on stalking and voyeurism in a bill which seeks to hand down stringent punishment for crimes against women. The age of consent for sex was 18 years under the Indian Penal Code before government promulgated an ordinance on February 3 this year, lowering it to 16 years. The proposed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013 sought to lower the age of consent for sex to 16 years but due to stiff opposition from political parties the Union Cabinet agreed to keep the age of consent for sex at 18 years with certain riders. A decision in this regard was taken during a meeting of the Union Cabinet yesterday where the recommendations made by various political parties were thoroughly discussed.