Maneka insists on no age-limit to report child sexual abuse
What's the story
Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi today said she has asked the Law Ministry to not keep any age limit to report child sexual abuse, allowing people to complain about what has happened to them even "10-15 years later".
Gandhi said she is "very happy" that #MeToo campaign has started in India and encouraged women to come forward to complain against sexual harassment.
Details
One always remembers the person who molested you, says Gandhi
"One always remembers the person who molested you and we have written to the Law Ministry that one should be allowed to complain without any time limit," Gandhi told reporters.
The Minister said she has proposed that people can complain even "10-15 years later".
"It doesn't matter how much later. If you're going to complain the avenue is open," the 62-year-old BJP member added.
CrPC Sections
What do Sections 468, 473 of CrPC state?
Under Section 468 of the CrPC, any offense, including child abuse, which can lead to a prison term of three years has to be reported within three years of the incident.
According to Section 473 of the CrPC, a court may take cognizance of an older case if it is in the "interest of justice" or if the "delay has been properly explained".
Information
#MeToo not to be used to target people unnecessarily: Gandhi
Gandhi had earlier proposed that child sexual abuse victims be allowed to register complaints until they are 30. She also discussed the #MeToo movement, in which she warned that it shouldn't be used to "target people who've offended us in some way".
Support
Tanushree-Nana fiasco: "Harassment of any kind won't be tolerated"
"I hope it does not go out of control in a way that we target people who have offended us in some way but I think women are angry at sexual molestation," Gandhi said.
Lending support to actor Tanushree Dutta, who has leveled serious allegations against Nana Patekar during a film's shooting 10 years ago, Gandhi said harassment of any kind won't be tolerated.
Legal action
'Don't care when complaint is filed, action should be taken'
Citing Harvey Weinstein, Gandhi had said last Tuesday that when the first victim came out and reported against the Hollywood producer, people asked her all kinds of questions, including why she took so long to speak out.
"But I know when your body is abused, you remember it always. I don't care when the complaint is filed but action should be taken," Gandhi said.