The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 was promulgated on April 21, 2018. It amends certain laws related to rape of minors. The amendments includes amendments to Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860, enhanced punishment for rape where the minimum imprisonment has been increased from seven years to ten years and certain new offences have been introduced – three new offences relate to rape of minors, and increases the penalty for one.
The amendment also includes changes in Amendments to Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO), 2012. For rape of minors below the age of 12 years or for gang rape of minors, the punishment which is higher between the POCSO, 2012 and IPC, 1860, will apply. Amendments to Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973 includes introduction of investigation in rape cases within 3 months, disposal of appeal within 6 months, non-applicability of anticipatory bail to rape and gang rape of minor girls below 12 years of age and below 16 years of age, free medical treatment and compensation by state government etc.