Adversitement

New Criminal bill in India defines Harming Women's Mental Health as 'cruelty'

Published On : 2023-12-13T17:37:35+0530 [ IST ] | Author : Amit_Rahangdale
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India :

The Indian government has added two new sections in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) that pertain to women, reported Press Trust of India. The first section has deemed harming a woman's mental health as 'cruelty' while the second has prescribed jail term for anyone who reveals the identity of a sexual assault survivor without their permission. The BNS is one of the three bills which seek to replace India's criminal laws, including Criminal Procedure Code

(СгРС).

Reportedly, the BNS largely retains provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but adds new offences and removes offences that have been struck down by Indian courts. The bill also seeks to increase penalties and punishments for several offences. The bill has been examined by the Standing Committee on Home Affairs. PTI reported that Section 86 of the BNS now includes harming of a woman's mental health in the definition of 'cruelty'. In the former version of the bill, a jail term of three years was prescribed for a husband or the married woman' in-laws if they treat the woman cruelly. The Section however, did not define what amounts to "cruel treatment", as reported by PTI, and this has now been added. The definition now has been significantly extended and considers the woman's mental health in addition to her physical well-being.

Source : NDTV

Tags : Legal Reform , Criminal Bill , Cruelty , Women's Mental Health , India ,

Summary : A Ground Breaking criminal bill in India introduces a significant provision defining harm to women's mental health as a form of 'cruelty.' The move reflects a crucial step in recognizing the importance of mental well-being and protecting women from psychological harm.

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