Trials in sexual offences to be completed in two months

New Delhi, Jan 1 (PTI) As a fallout of the Ruchika
molestation case, trials in all sexual offences including rape
will now be completed within two months as far as possible and
all victims will have the right to appeal against a court
order, under new amendments to Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
The amendments which came into effect Thursday would come
as a big relief to complainants as till now only the state
could file an appeal against an order.
A statement on key amendments released by the Union
Ministry of Home Affairs said that victims will now be allowed
to engage an advocate to assist the prosecution.
It also prescribes that the statement of a victim of rape
shall be recorded at her residence and as far as practicable,
by a woman police officer in the presence of the victim's
parents or guardian, or a social worker.
The amendments also enable recording of statements or
confessions by audio-video electronic means.
It also stipulates that the trial of an offence under
Sections 376 (rape) to 376D IPC (entire section deals with
sexual offences) shall, as far as possible, be completed
within two months.
The amendment also incorporates a new Section 357A
obliging every state government to prepare a scheme for
providing funds for compensating the victim of a crime or his
dependents besides providing for execution of bond by a person
seeking bail pending an appeal. MORE PTI