Indian govt considering death penalty for child rapists

NEW DELHI: The Indian government said Friday it is looking to introduce the death penalty for child rapists after nationwide outrage over the brutal gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl.

Demonstrations across the country, after the release of horrific details of the murder of the Muslim girl by a group of Hindu men, have increased pressure on the government to take action on sexual crimes.

The government told the Supreme Court that amending the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act to bring in capital punishment was under “active consideration” by the law ministry.

“The ministry is sensitive to the plight of young children brutally abused in the most horrific manner,” the government said in a statement to a Supreme Court hearing reported by Press Trust of India.