From hanging to chemical castration, MLAs chose to suggest various kinds of punishment for the Kopardi rape and murder accused on the second day of the Assembly’s monsoon session on Tuesday. Some blamed movies for creating a social rift, while others sought laws on the lines of the ones in Saudi Arabia to prosecute rapists. But at the end of a four-hour-long discussion, neither were there any concrete suggestions on judicial or police reforms nor consensus on ways to prevent crimes against women.
In a reply to the discussion, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said the government will initiate a CID probe in the case and seek a death penalty for the accused.
Former Deputy CM and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader Ajit Pawar sought completion of the hearing of the case in six months and sought capital punishment for all the accused.
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Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Anil Bonde sought chemical castration of the accused and demanded that no bail be granted to rapists. His party colleague, Gangapur MLA Prashant Bumb went a step ahead and demanded that the hanging of those accused be telecast live on television.
“No one will dare to do such crime again. If needed, we must change the human rights laws. These laws are for humans and rapists are not humans,” Mr. Bumb told The Hindu .
Leader of opposition Radhakrishna Vikhe-Patil said the criminals have no fear of the law.
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“Recently-released Marathi film Sairat is responsible for spreading hatred. The government must take a look at such films which create a social rift and portray a village leader or sarpanch negatively,” said NCP leader Bhaskar Jadhav, adding Kopardi rape seems to be a case of ‘revenge’ of one community on another.
AIMIM MLA Waris Pathan advocated a ban on alcohol to curb atrocities against women. “We must have strict laws, like those in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. Rapists are not human beings. They should be hanged in the middle of the village square.”
CPI (M)’s Jiva Gavit said the accused in this case are mad dogs and must be shot dead.
Mr. Fadnavis refuted the allegations that the government was late in its response. “Cops reached the spot in half an hour. Though I could not go to the village, I was regularly taking updates on the case.”
In an announcement, the Chief Minister said punishment for those who sell illicit liquor has been increased to 10 years from existing three years. “Repeated sale of illicit liquor will invite action against the police inspector in charge of the area,” he said.