Centre opposes death sentence

New Delhi: Even as the Centre opposed capital punishment to the accused involved in sexual assault of children, the Supreme Court on Thursday called for details of cases pending under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POSCO) Act to examine whether time limit can be fixed for completion of such trials.

A three-judge bench of Chief Justice Dipak Misra and Justices A.M. Kanwilkar and D.Y. Chandrachud asked petitioner Alakh Alok Srivastava to furnish these details even as he pleaded for capital punishment to child rapists. On a petition filed by him, the bench on Wednesday directed that the eight-month-old girl child who was raped be admitted AIIMS. During the resumed hearing on Thursday, the two doctors of AIIMS informed the court that as per the directions the child was admitted to the Institute and treatment was being given to the child. The court was also informed that the parents, who are daily wage earners, were given Rs 75,000 towards interim compensation.

In his petition, Srivastava has sought the urgent framing of guidelines on the investigation and trial of cases of rape of children between 0-12 years of age, to ensure they are completed within six months from the date of filing of FIR.

Additional Solicitor General P.S. Narasimha  told the court that the Centre was not in favour of the death penalty to those found guilty of child sexual assault or infant rape. “Death penalty is not an answer for everything,” he added.