VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed the Disha Bill on Friday, which will punish culprits in 21 days to provide justice speedily to the victims of specified offences against women and children.
The YSRC hailed the bill as historical and unique and the opposition Telugu Desam supported the legislation.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy claimed that the Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill Criminal Law (AP Amendment) Act, 2019 will help reduce crimes in Andhra Pradesh. The House also passed the AP Special Courts for Specified Offences Against Women and Children Bill.
The Disha bill prescribes the death penalty for rape where there is conclusive evidence, and this needs amendment to Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code. The Bill stipulates a period of 21 working days for the case, with the investigation being completed in seven days, and the trial closing in 14 days. The AP Disha Bill prescribes life imprisonment for sexual offences against children.
