Govt mulls making molestation non-bailable offence

New Delhi, December 31: Taking a lesson from the Ruchika case, the Government is considering making molestation a non-bailable, cognisable offence in which the accused can be arrested based on a complaint.

According to the draft of the proposed Sexual Crimes (Special Courts) Bill, 2010, the Law Ministry has proposed making molestation a cognisable, non-bailable offence.

So far, a person accused of molestation under Section 354 of the Indian Penal Code could be granted bail as the maximum punishment stipulated is less than three years.

“According to the preliminary draft, a person cannot be released on bail unless the public prosecutor is given a chance to oppose the bail plea.

In other words, a judge cannot deliver an ex parte judgement,” a senior Law Ministry official told.

He said the details are being worked out.

–Agencies