Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Act 

Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Act 

Part of: Prelims and GS-I Social issues

Context The Maharashtra Assembly passed the Shakti Criminal Laws (Maharashtra Amendment) Act unanimously. 

Key takeaways 

• With the passage of the Bill, it became the second state in India after Andhra Pradesh to approve death penalty for heinous offences of rape and gangrape
• The existing law on rape had provisions for death penalty only in cases of repeated offences.
• The Act has also enhanced fines and punishment for offences of sexual violence against women and minors.
• Under the POCSO Act too, punishment for penetrative sexual assault in heinous cases has been enhanced to death penalty.
• The Act requires the trial in these cases to be conducted on a day-to-day basis and completed within 30 working days from the date of filing of the chargesheet.
• It also requires for the investigation to be completed within a month of the FIR.
• In cases of grievous hurt caused due to acid attacks under Section 326A, the punishment has been enhanced to a minimum of 15 years which can be extended to the remainder of the natural life of the perpetrator along with fine.
• In cases of voluntarily throwing acid or attempting to throw it, punishment under section 326B has been enhanced to a minimum of seven years and a maximum of ten years.