PROMINENT ACTIVISTS, lawyers, women’s organisations and academicians Saturday wrote a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray voicing their opposition to the two bills — Maharashtra Shakti Bill, 2020, and the Special Court and Machinery for Implementation of Maharashtra Shakti Criminal Law, 2020 — and urging him not to table the bills in the two-day Winter Session starting Monday.

The letter that has 92 signatories stated, “We are shocked that such a draconian legislation is being introduced in the name of curbing widespread violence against women and girls. Some provisions are not only anti-women, but negate the very offence of rape. The effect of this Bill will completely deny women any hope of justice. Hence, we are addressing this letter requesting you to not table the Bill till there is a larger consultation with activists, lawyers and academicians working on these issues.”

Approved by the state cabinet on December 9, the bills are expected to tabled during the winter session of the legislature. In December 2019, the Maharashtra government announced  it will enact a law on the lines of the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act with a provision of death penalty for rape instead of the current punishment of 10 to 20 years’ imprisonment.

The prominent objection is to a proposed amendment to the definition of rape itself under Section 375 of the Indian Penal Code. The bill seeks to add an ‘explanation’ that when adults are involved and the circumstances point to ‘consent or implied consent,’ a presumption of consent will be made. It negates the entire definition of consent under the law, said the letter signed by prominent activists, including senior advocate Indira Jaising, Mahrukh Adenwalla, Asha Bajpai, Veena Gowda, Meena Seshu, Kamayani Mahabal, Sandhya Gokhale and Nandita Shah.

The Maharashtra Shakti Bill and the accompanying bill for Special Courts and Machinery for Implementation of the Shakti Bill were recommended by a four-member special committee appointed by the state, on lines similar to the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act of 2019. The activists say that they received a copy of the bill on December 10.
The bill “feeds into patriarchal construction of consent and conduct of women,” they said. “In a lot of rape cases, accused take the plea of consent and with such explanation, it will be impossible for prosecution to establish rape.”

The proposed death penalty for rape, gangrape and under Pocso will be “counter-productive,” they noted.
The certainty of punishment rather than its severity works as a deterrent, they said. A death sentence may in fact “endanger lives of rape survivors” as there will be no difference between punishment for rape and murder.

Organizations like the Urja Trust, Stree Vani, Maharashtra, Stree Mukti Sangathna, Mumbai, Akshara, Akhil Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Sangathna, Awaaz-e-Niswaan, Mumbai, Majlis and Forum against Oppression of Women in Mumbai have also signed the letter. They expressed “shock” at “such a draconian legislation being introduced in the name of curbing widespread violence against women and girls.”

One provision under the bill is to punish those filing false rape cases to extort, threaten or defame the accused. But women activists say this is “concerning” as it “perpetuates patriarchal notions of viewing women with suspicion.”

FULL STATEMENT

Sirs/Madam,

We write to you with regard to the Maharashtra Shakti Bill, 2020 and the accompanying Special Courts and Machinery for the Implementation of the Shakti Bill, 2020. These Bills have been recommended by the 4-Member Special Committee appointed by the State Government, on similar lines of the Andhra Pradesh Disha Act, 2019, and propose amendments to the existing criminal laws including the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (CrPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act).

We are shocked that such a draconian legislation is being introduced in the name of curbing the widespread violence against women and girls. Some of the provisions are not only anti-women,but negate the very offence of rape. The effect of this Bill will completely deny women any hope of justice. Hence, we are addressing this letter requesting you to not table the Bill till there is a larger consultation with activists, lawyers and academicians who are working on these issues.

The copy of the Bill came to us only on the 10thof December, 2020 and we have been informed that the same is to be tabled in the present session of the legislature which gives us no time for a detailed review and critique of the Bill. However, as the Bill goes against some of our fundamental principlesand beliefs as feminists,we are presently addressing these core issues and if given time will send a more detailed critique of the Bill.

Presumption of Consent: The Amendment which seeks to add Explanation 3 to section 375 i.e. where parties are adults and the conduct of such parties from all circumstances surrounding the same appears that there was consent or implied consent a presumption of consent will be made,negates the entire definition of consent under section 375 and theoffence of rape itself. This is a step back for women’s rights after the 2013 amendments wherein the taking into consideration the Verma Committee report the definitionof consentwas added. While the Act is said to be made for justice to women it feedsinto the patriarchal construction of consent and conduct of women. It goes against the statement and object of this Bill. In a lot of cases of rape, the accused take the plea of consent with such an explanation added it will become impossible for the prosecution to establish rape. Such an explanation negatesand nullifiesthe very offence of rape.This explanation will have to be deleted if this government genuinely wants to work in the interest of women.

Death Penalty: The proposed enhancement in the punishment for rape, gang rape (Sections 376, 376D, 376DA, 376DB and 376E) and penetrated sexual assault against children (Sections 4 and 6 of the POCSO Act)to include death penalty will be counter-productive to women and contrary to the statement and object of the law. It is the certainty of investigation, trial and punishment that works as a deterrent rather than the severity of punishment. Numerous studies have questioned the potency of the death penalty as a deterrent in preventing crimes. Further, women and child-rights activists and scholars have repeatedly stated that the death penalty reduces the already-abysmal conviction rates as well as the rates of reporting in cases of sexual offences. Studies have shown that more than half of the total offences under the POCSO Act are committed by persons known to the children. In such cases, the possibility of the accused person being awarded the death sentence multiplies the conflict and the trauma faced by the victims and is most likely to prevent the reporting of such crimes. Even in cases of adult woman,if she is related to the accused and has an apprehension that he would be awarded the death penalty,the family of the victim and her relatives would not support her in reporting the case and on the contrary would actively dissuade her or even turn hostile during the trial. In light of this, it is evident that the death penalty is nothing but a barrier to ensuring women’s safety and bringing down the rates of violence faced by women.

We, therefore, urge you to withdraw the introduction of the death penalty as a punishment for sexual offences against women and children. Dangerous for rape survivors: The provision of Death Penalty would in fact result in endangering lives of survivors as we have seen recently that several incidents of rapes are followed by the rapists killing the victim, as there is no difference between the sentence for rape and that for murder. Also very dangerous is the fact thatthis sends a totally wrong and lethal message to the survivors of rape. The message it sends is that after an incident like rape her life is as good as over; she is as good as dead. That women and girls are not valued in themselves. This is what women like Savitribai Phule and many others after her have fought against all their lives.

False cases:Section 12 of the Special Courts and Machinery for the Implementation of ShaktiAct, 2020 punishes filing “false complaints” or providing “false information” regarding sexual and other offences against women solely with the intention to humiliate, extort, threaten or defame the accused. We believe that this provision is concerning,as it perpetuates the patriarchal notions of viewing women with suspicion, as unworthy of being believed and likely to incriminate men in false cases for unscrupulous purposes. Further, it disincentivizes complaining or providing information regarding sexual offences and has the alarming effect of lowering the already low reporting rate for sexual offences. Most often the prosecution is unable to prove the case due to faulty investigation, with such a provision the possibility of counter cases being filed against women is immense. We strongly believe that this provision is contrary to the object of improving women’s safety. The existing criminal law already has provisions to deal with false complaints and hence there is no necessity for such a section within this law

Time frame for Investigation and Trial: We believe thatthe existing mechanismslaid downforthe purpose of speedy and effective disposal of sexual offences are sufficiently effective, and if they were to be followed, the same would go a long way in achieving the purpose of curbing violence against women, rather than this legislation. For instance, the recently amended Section 309 of the CrPC sets the time limit to dispose of a rape case as 60 days (two months) from the filing ofthechargesheet. Similarly, Section 35 of the POCSO Act provides that cases under the Act must be disposed of within one year from taking cognizance.

However, it is commonly seen that these timelines are rarely adhered to. The time frame suggested by this Bill of 15 days for investigation and 1 month for trial will result in more botched up investigationand unjust trials. The said time frame will not be sufficient for gathering of all evidence and will only become an excuse for the police to not conduct a proper investigation. Further, a hurried investigation and trial would more often than not lead to miscarriage of justice. Neither the Police nor the Courts have an infrastructure to comply with these time frames and the same will only result in unfair trials and more acquittals. Section 35(2) of the POCSO Act stipulates that the special court shall complete the trial within one year which the courts are failing to do. This has led to insurmountable delays and added to the pendency of cases our judiciary is infamous for. We,therefore, feel that fulfilling the obligations under the existing laws is an imperative firststep towards women’s safety and far more important than rolling out new lawswhichmerely add to the existing catena ofunimplemented legislations.

Already existing laws: We would like to point out that the proposed amendments seem to have been recommended without considering similar, already-existing provisions in the criminal laws. For instance, the proposed insertion of Section 354E (Harassment of Women by any mode of communication) to the IPC is targeted at punishing the intimidation of women through electronic media and platforms. The same is already punished under Sections 354A to 354D of the IPC and Sections 66E, 67 and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), which comprehensively cover all the acts aimed to be punished under the new Section. Similarly, the proposed insertions of Sections 166A (d), Section 166C to the IPC are aimed at punishing public servants for failure to assisting in the investigation or performing their assigned duties. Whereas, Sections 166, 166A, 166B and 167 of the IPC sufficiently punish such acts of public servants conducted in contravention to the law or disobedience of their orders and duties. Hence, in effect, these proposed amendments are merely nugatory. We, therefore, fail to see the provision of this blanket legislation, except for the purpose of making a strong statement.It is on these principalgrounds that we convey our opposition to the proposed legislation and request you to not table these Bills without larger discussions with lawyers, activists, academicians, and other stakeholders.

Sincerely,

Akhil Bharatiya Janwadi Mahila Sanghatana . Maharashtra

Akshara , Mumbai

Auxilium skills Academy,M.Y.C Auxilium Campus Wadala West Mumbai

Awaaz-E-Niswaan, Mumbai

BebaakCollective, Mumbai

Bhartiya Mahila Federation (NFIW),

MaharashtraCentre for Social and Behaviour Change Communication, Mumbai

CORO INDIADemocracy Collective, Mumbai

Eusebia Welfare Centre,MundhwaFeminist Collective, India

Forum Against Oppression of Women, Mumbai

Justice Coalition of Religious, West India

Jan Swasthya Abhiyan-Mumbai

Jan Vikas kendra Khopoli.

LABIA -A Queer Feminist LBT Collective

Laher, Child Rights Organization, Mumbai

Mahila Mandal Federation, Mumbai

National Hawker federation, Maharashtra

Parcham Mumbai

Sakhya, Natty Lopes, Vasai, District Palghar

Sarvahara Jan Andolan,ulka Mahajan,Raighad

Satyashodhak Feminist Collective, Maharashtra

Special Cell for Women and Children , TISS

Stree Mukti Sanghatana , Mumbai

Stree Vani, Maharashtra

URJA Trust, Mumbai

Vidhrohi Mahila Manch, Sangli

Youth for Unity and Voluntary Action (YUVA).Roshni Nuggehalli,,

Indira Jaising, Mumbai

Adv Veena Gowda, Mumbai

Kamayani Bali Mahabal Feminist and human Rights activist

Adv Maharukh Adenwalla, Lawyer and Child Rights Activist

Adv.Flory MenezesHopelegal center, PuneAdv. Rouble SarkarAdv Priyadarshi TelangDr. Asha Bajpai , Professor of Law , MumbaiDr Anagha Sarpotdar, MumbaiAlpa Vora, Child Rights Campaigner, MumbaiShiraz bulsara prabhu, PUCLSamira Nadkarni, Mumbai, AcademicSunita Bagal, Social activist, MumbaiSwatija Manorama,FAOWMumbaiAsha Mukundan, faculty TISS.Sachi Maniar, ashiyana, MumbaiBrinelle D’souza, TISSMerlyn Karikunnel,Raigad, MaharashtraMukta Srivastava , Social activist, MaharashtraSeema Kulkarni, Social activist. PuneAnjali Monteiro, Retired Professor, TISSLara Jesani, Advocate, MumbaiMargaret Gonsalves, ‘आणि’ चॅरिटेबलट्रस्ट’, वसईManisha Gupte,Feminist Activist, Pune.Snehal Velkar, Social Activist, MumbaiArokia Mary, MumbaiSusan Abraham, AdvocateNadia D’souza, MumbaiMerlyn Dsa, ICWM, MumbaiZil Gala, MumbaiUlka mahajan RaigadMukta Srivastava ThaneRosamma Thomas, PuneGeeta Kuvalekar, PuneMaithili Patil, MumbaiTrupti Panchal, TISS, MumbaiPeehu Pardeshi, TISS MumbaiD. Viveka, rscj-Mumbai 400095,Prachi Hatwlekar, AIDWAD. Viveka, rscj-Mumbai 400095,Nishit KumarFounder,MD, Centre for Social and Behaviour ChangeCommunication, MumbaiRavi Duggal, MumbaiKajol Menon, Laher, MumbaiDr Sadhana Natu, PuneApeksha Vora, MumbaiMeena Seshu, SangliSantosh Shinde, Child Rights ActivistSitaram Shelar, Social Activist, MumbaiTara Rai, Delhi, Feminist CollectiveLeena Pujari, K C College, MumbaiRose Thomas SSpSAssistant, StreevaniGita Chadha , University of Mumbai, MumbaiAditi Joshi, LABIA -A Queer Feminist LBT CollectiveSr.Annie Fernandes psol,Divya prabha,ThaneJessy Joseph fmm. PuneSr. Shobha khutekar srs of charity of stAnne,MiraroadSr. Pinky ThomasHazel Lobo,Queer AffirmativeMental Health Practioner and social workerSr Rosaline Pereira FMA,Auxilium skills Academy,M.Y.C Auxilium Campus Wadala West MumbaiSr. Santana Pereira,Eusebia Welfare Centre,MundhwaPramod Nigudkar, child Rights CampaignerVaishali Rode, Journalist and writerKamayani Bali Mahabal gl feminist and human Rights activistVinita Balekundri, National Hawker federation, MaharshtraJulia George, Lawyer, StreevaniSr Catherine Gonsalves, Canossian Daughtersof Charity MahimMs. Prasanna Invally from Pune