Madras High Court recommends castration for child rape, says present law `ineffective`

Madurai: Terming the present law ''ineffective'', a Madras High Court bench has recommended castration as punishment to child sex abusers.

Justice N. Kirubakaran, in a recent order against a British national, made the recommendation to the Centre saying that castration would achieve “magical results” in preventing child abuse.

"Present law is ineffective in dealing with such criminals and judiciary could not keep its hands folded and be a mute spectator, especially when the recent happenings of gang rape of children across India are reported", the judge said.

"The suggestion to castrate may look barbaric. But barbaric criminals needed barbaric punishment. The very thought of punishment should deter the criminal from committing the offence," the judge observed.

"Under the banner of human rights violations, some activists who first sympathise with the victims later support the criminal also. They are placing misplaced sympathy. Human rights were applicable to the victims," the judge said.