Tamil Nadu Governor Greenlights Bills to Toughen Penalties for Crimes Against Women and Children

Synopsis

The Tamil Nadu Governor, R.N. Ravi, has approved two pivotal bills that impose tougher penalties for crimes targeting women and children. The legislation includes severe punishments for sexual violence and acid attacks, and will now be submitted to the President for final endorsement.

Key Takeaways

The Governor approved two critical bills for harsher penalties.
Severe punishments include life imprisonment and death penalty.
Implementation of surveillance in public areas mandated.
Public servants guilty of sexual offenses face heightened penalties.
Digital crimes addressed with specific penalties.

Chennai, Jan 23 (NationPress) The Governor of Tamil Nadu, R.N. Ravi, has sanctioned two significant bills designed to enforce more stringent penalties for offenses against women and children. The bills - Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Harassment of Women (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Criminal Laws (Tamil Nadu) Amendments Bill 2025 - will be forwarded to the President for ultimate approval.

These legislative changes introduce harsh penalties for grievous crimes, including life imprisonment and the death penalty for acts of sexual violence, acid assaults, and similar offenses.

The stipulations include: for sexual assault on a girl under 12 years, offenders will face either life imprisonment or the death penalty; in the case of gang rape involving a minor (under 18 years), penalties will range from life imprisonment to the death penalty; repeat offenders will also confront either the death penalty or life imprisonment; those disclosing a victim’s identity will face 3 to 5 years in prison and a fine; acid attacks causing severe injury will result in either life imprisonment or the death penalty, alongside a fine.

Threatening an acid attack is punishable by 10 years to life imprisonment and a fine.

The bills also tackle digital and cyber crimes. For first-time offenders, penalties include up to three years in prison and a fine of ₹10,000. Repeat offenders could face up to five years in prison and a fine of ₹1 lakh. Subsequent violations will incur a 10-year sentence and a fine of ₹10 lakh.

In cases leading to fatalities or intent to cause death: for sexual assault that results in a fatality, offenders will face a minimum of 10 years in prison and a fine of ₹50,000. Violence intended to cause death will lead to life imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000.

The bills require the installation of sufficient lighting and surveillance systems in public places, including schools, hostels, cinemas, and shopping centers.

Authorities must report crimes within 24 hours, with non-compliance incurring a fine of ₹50,000, a notable increase from the previous penalty of ₹2,000.

Public servants, including law enforcement, prison personnel, government officials, and healthcare workers found guilty of sexual assault will encounter severe penalties, ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment.

The Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin, proposed these bills in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on January 10, and they were approved the following day through a voice vote.

These bills enhance amendments made in 2023 to the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Indian National Security Act (INSA), aiming to fortify legal protections for women and children. The strengthened legislation signifies Tamil Nadu's persistent commitment to reducing crimes against these vulnerable groups, ensuring improved safety and accountability statewide.