[1]The Union Cabinet on Friday cleared a proposal to redefine 'rape', making it a gender-neutral offence by substituting the word with 'sexual assault'.
The move will expand the definition and include male victims of sexual assault by changing the relevant provisions of the IPC and CrPC. Redefining rape will mean sexual assault on men as well as minors, irrespective of their sex, which can be dealt under the same law.
Sources said that the Cabinet cleared the changes with enhancement of punishment for such acts from seven years to 10 years in jail.
The Cabinet also approved another proposal that included amendments in the IPC and enhancing punishment for acid attacks.
Sources said that the Cabinet cleared inclusion of Section 326 (A) in the IPC that will deal with disfigurement or acid attacks, imposing a jail term of 10 years and a fine up to Rs10 lakhs.
The incidences of such brutal acid attacks are so far dealt with the prevailing Sections of 329, 322 and 325 of the IPC which pertain to grievous hurt, voluntarily causing grievous hurt and punishment for causing grievous hurt.
There are also currently no laws to regulate the sale of acids barring the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 (Amended in 2000).
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