Delhi HC constitutes committee to study issues related to sexual violence

The Delhi High Court has constituted a Committee to consider all issues relating to sexual violence, including preventive measures for controlling incidents of sexual violence as well as appropriate steps to be taken in the field of sentencing in such cases based on scientific principles and data..Stating that steps for reformation of convicts in cases involving sexual violence is the real need of society today, a two-judge Bench consisting of the outgoing Acting Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice C Hari Shankar directed the constitution of the Committee comprising the following members:.Aparna Chandra, Professor National Law University, DelhiCharu WalikhannaKirti SinghBharti Ali, HAQ: Centre for Child RightsVidya Reddy, Tulir Centre for the prevention & Healing of Child Sexual Abuse, ChennaiDr. Asha Bajpai, School of Law Rights and Constitutional Governance, Tata Institute at Social Sciences, MumbaiSwagata Raha, Consultant, Legal Affairs, Enfold Proactive Health Trust, Bengaluru..The above members of the Committee are known for their research and ground level work in the field of child sexual violence and several related issues..The direction was passed in writ petitions by Social Action Forum for Manav Adhikar (SAFMA) and ApneAap Women Worldwide, challenging Section 6 of the Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2018 prescribing death penalty as punishment for gang rape of girls under 12 years of age..Centre was granted six weeks’ time from July 31, 2018 to file its counter affidavits in the case..Prof. Chandra is the Amicus Curiae in the matter..SAFMA is represented through Advocates Dr. Charu Wali Khanna, Dharmendra Singh Pal and Raghvendra Singh Parihar..ApneAap Women Worldwide was represented through Advocates Kirti Singh, Tara Narula and Siddharth Mehta..Standing Counsel Anil Soni, Advocates Abhinav Tyagi and Srivats Kaushal appeared for Union of India..The case would be next heard on August 16, 2018 for further instructions with respect to the expenses incurred by the committee..Read the order below.