Question

In view of the increasing crime against the girl child, in which year did the cabinet approve the proposal put forward by the government to amend the POCSO Act?
1. In April 2018
2. In April 2017
3. In April 2016
4. In April 2015

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : In April 2018

The correct answer is in April 2018.

• In view of the increasing crime against the girl child, in April 2018 year did the cabinet approve the proposal put forward by the government to amend the POCSO Act.

• The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012 to make punishment more stringent for committing sexual crimes against children.
• The earlier amendment allowed the death penalty only in cases of sexual assault of girls below 12 years but now it will be applicable to boys also.
• More stringent punishment:
• The amendments extend the punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault from a minimum of 10 years to a minimum of 20 years, up to a maximum of life imprisonment, and even the death penalty under Section 6 of the POCSO Act.
• The cabinet approved amendments in sections 4, 5, 6, 9, 14, 15, and 42 of the POCSO Act.

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012:
  • It was enacted to protect the children from offenses of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and pornography with due regard for safeguarding the interest and well-being of children.
  • It was amended in August 2019 to provide more stringent punishment, including the death penalty, for sexual crimes against children.
  • It defines a child as any person below eighteen years of age and regards the best interests and welfare of the child as a matter of paramount importance at every stage, to ensure the healthy physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development of the child.
  • It deems a sexual assault to be “aggravated” under certain circumstances, such as when the abused child is mentally ill or when the abuse is committed by a person in a position of trust or authority like a family member, police officer, teacher, or doctor.
  • It also casts the police in the role of child protectors during the investigative process.