Section 70 of BNS 2023: Severe Penalties for Gang Rape
It imposes severe penalties, including life imprisonment and the death penalty, for gang rape, ensuring justice and support for victims through rigorous imprisonment and fines.
Overview
Section 70 of BNS 2023 addresses the crime of gang rape, where a woman is raped by multiple persons acting as a group or with a common intention. This section mandates stringent penalties for all involved, ensuring justice for victims and severe consequences for offenders.
Punishment
- Gang Rape of an Adult Woman:
- Rigorous Imprisonment: Not less than twenty years, extendable to life imprisonment, meaning imprisonment for the remainder of the offender’s natural life.
- Fine: Just and reasonable to cover the victim’s medical expenses and rehabilitation, paid directly to the victim.
- Gang Rape of a Minor (Under 18 Years):
- Imprisonment for Life: Imprisonment for the remainder of the offender’s natural life.
- Death Penalty: Optionally, the offenders may be sentenced to death.
- Fine: Just and reasonable to cover the victim’s medical expenses and rehabilitation, paid directly to the victim.
Key Elements
- Group Act or Common Intention:
- The rape is committed by one or more persons acting as a group or with a common intention.
- Severity of Punishment:
- For adult victims: Rigorous imprisonment of at least twenty years.
- For minor victims: Life imprisonment or death penalty.
- Financial Compensation:
- Fines imposed are directed towards the victim’s medical and rehabilitative expenses.
- Fines must be just and reasonable, ensuring adequate support for the victim.
Legislative Intent
The legislative intent behind Section 70 of BNS 2023 is to ensure severe punishment for gang rape, recognizing the grave nature of the offense and its impact on victims. By imposing rigorous imprisonment or the death penalty, along with financial compensation for victims, the law aims to deliver justice, deter potential offenders, and support the rehabilitation of survivors.
Conclusion
Section 70 of BNS 2023 represents a robust legal framework aimed at addressing gang rape with stringent penalties for all perpetrators. By defining severe punishments and ensuring victim support through fines, this law seeks to deliver justice and foster a safer environment for women and minors.