The home ministry is working on a draft Bill seeking to replace the word “rape” from the 150-year-old Indian Penal Code (IPC) with “sexual assault”, to broaden the ambit of crimes covered under the sections and make the provisions “gender-neutral”.
As per Section 375 of the IPC, “penetration” is sufficient to constitute forced sexual intercourse necessary to define rape. However, the changes being mulled by a committee, constituted under the chairmanship of the Union home secretary, Mr G.K. Pillai, seeks to replace the word “rape” with “sexual assault”.
This would include not just forced sexual intercourse but also crimes such as sodomy, using the finger, insertion of foreign object and other similar offences which are not covered under the present definition of rape, official sources said.
The move is being viewed as an attempt to cover sexual crimes among homosexuals with homosexuality being decriminalised by a Delhi High Court order last year.
As per data with the home ministry, cases of child rape are on the rise. A total of 2.10 lakh cases were registered between 2006-2008 under sections related to rape, sexual harassment or molestation.
- Indian Journalist.
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