CRIMINAL LAW AMENDMENT ACT 2018 RECEIVED THE ASSENT OF PRESIDENT AND CAME INTO FORCE.

THE ACT AMENDED IPC, Cr.P.C. AND EVIDENCE ACT. RECEIVED  ASSENT OF THE PRESIDENT ON 11-08-2018 CAME INTO FORCE FROM 21/4/2018 FROM THE DATE OF PROMULGATION OF CRIMINAL LAW (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE, 2018

In section 376 of the Penal Code,—

(a) in sub-section (1), for the words "shall not be less than seven years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine", the words "shall not be less than ten years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, andshall also be liable to fine" shall be substituted;

(b) in sub-section (2), clause (i) shall be omitted;

(c) after sub-section (2), the following sub-section shall be inserted, namely:—

"(3) Whoever, commits rape on a woman under sixteen years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and shall also be liable to fine:

Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:

Provided further that any fine imposed under this sub-section shall be paid to the victim.".

After Section 376 A IPC following section is inserted

"376AB. Whoever, commits rape on a woman under twelve years of age shall be punished with rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than twenty years, but which may extend to imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and with fine or with death:

Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:

Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the victim.".

After Section 376 D, section 376 DA and Section 376 DB is inserted.

"376 DA. Where a woman under sixteen years of age is raped by one or more persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, each of those persons shall be deemed to have committed the offence of rape and shall be punished with imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and with fine:

Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:

Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the victim.

376DB. Where a woman under twelve years of age is raped by one or more persons constituting a group or acting in furtherance of a common intention, each of those persons shall be deemed to have committed the offence of rape and shall be punished with imprisonment for life,which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person's natural life, and with fine, or with death:

Provided that such fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim:

Provided further that any fine imposed under this section shall be paid to the victim.".

Consequentional amendments were also made in Cr.P.C. in section 26,154, 161,164, 173, 197,309,327,357 B, 357 C,438,439  and in section 53 A , 146 of Indian Evidence Act