Minimum seven year jail for sexual assault

The law is to be amended to provide for a minimum of seven years in jail for sexual assault, which may extend to life imprisonment, the government said Tuesday.

Minister of State for Home Affairs R.P.N. Singh said the Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2012, had been introduced in parliament.

There would be an additional fine for aggravated sexual assault by a police officer or a public servant who takes advantage of his position of authority, the minister told the Lok Sabha.

"The punishment (for aggravated sexual assault) will be rigorous imprisonment which shall not be less than 10 years, which may extend to life imprisonment," he said.

Singh added that the word 'rape' would be replaced by 'sexual assault' in the legislation to make the offence gender neutral and for widening the scope of the offence. - IANS