The Chhattisgarh Assembly Thursday passed the Criminal law (Chhattisgarh Amendment) Bill 2013 with voice vote, tightening the noose further around tormentors of women even as the Centre had also passed special law for protection of women from sexual harassment only recently.
Taking a step further ahead, the State Assembly approved amendment in Sections 154, 161, 164, 164(a), Section 309, Section 327, Annexure I of Criminal Procedure Code 1973 and also introduced a sub section with Section 114 (a) of Indian Evidence Act, 1872.
Through these amendments, now the head of the office or institution or his equivalent has been made responsible for preventing or providing information to the competent authority regarding sexual harassment to a woman worker or her counterpart failing which the person will be liable for imprisonment upto 3 years and or monetary fine. The offence in such cases will be cognizable and non bailable which could be heard by First Class Magistrate only.
Amendment in Section 509 (a) has made the sexual harassment to a lady by her relatives liable for a rigorous imprisonment of 1 year to 5 years, and could also be slapped monetary fine. The offence could be treated as cognizable, a non bailable crime which could be heard by not less than a first class magistrate.
Amendment in Section 509 (b) which is related to sexual harassment through electronic equipment, has made the crime cognizable, non bailable for which the guilty person will have to un dergo rigorous imprisonment of six months to 2 years along with possibility of monetary fine as well. This type of cases will be heard by first class magistrate only.