Government of

Andhra Pradesh

9 Reasons why Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019 will

be remembered in history for providing protection
to Women & Children against Sexual Offences
13th December 2019
1. Exclusive Punishment of Death Penalty for Rape Crimes

Present Status
• In present enactments of Govt. of India/ State Govts., for extreme cases of
rape, the provision for punishing the offender is ‘sentence for fixed jail term
leading to life imprisonment or death sentence’

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• Government of Andhra Pradesh has prescribed exclusively death penalty
for rape crimes where adequate conclusive evidence is there. no other
options provided.
• Provision given by amending Section 376 of Indian Penal Code, 1860
2. Reducing the Judgement Period to 21 days

Present Status
• The existing judgement period as per Nirbhaya Act, 2013 and Criminal
Amendment Act, 2018 is 4 months (2 months of Investigation period & 2
months of trial period)
Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019
• In cases of rape crimes with substantial conclusive evidence, total
Judgement period has been reduced to 21 working days from date of
offence.
• The investigation shall be completed in 7 working days and trial shall be
completed in 14 working days.
• This is being enacted by making amendments in Section 173 and Section 309
of Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973 and introducing additional clauses in
the said act.
3. Apart from rape, stringent punishment for other types of
sexual offences against children

Present Status
• In cases of molestation/ sexual assault on children under POCSO Act, 2012,
punishment ranges from minimum 3 years to maximum 7 years of
imprisonment.

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• Apart from rape, Government of Andhra Pradesh prescribes life
imprisonment for other sexual offences against children.
• New Sections 354F and Section 354G ‘Sexual Assault on Children’ is being
inserted in Indian Penal Code, 1860
4. Shortening Judgement Period to 21 days for sexual assault
on Children

Present Status
• In existing acts, the period for completing the trial is 1 year.

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• In case of sexual assault on children, where adequate conclusive evidence is
there, total Judgement period has been reduced to 21 working days from
date of offence.
• The investigation shall be completed in 7 working days and trial shall be
completed in 14 working days.
• This is being enacted by making amendments in Section 173 and Section 309
of Code of Criminal Procedure Act, 1973 and introducing additional clauses in
the said act.
5. Introducing punishment for harassment of women through
Social Media

Present Status
• No such provision in existing Indian Penal Code

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• In cases of harassment of women through mail, social media, digital
mode or any other form, the guilty shall be punishable with imprisonment.
• The imprisonment will be for a term which may extend to two years on first
conviction and with imprisonment for a term which may extend to four years
on second and subsequent conviction.
• A new Section 354E ‘Harassment of Women’ is being added in Indian Penal
Code, 1860
6. Establishment of Exclusive Special Courts in every District
of Andhra Pradesh
Present Status
• Few States have special courts but not in every district. These are designated
courts and not exclusive in nature.
• These special courts handle cases pertaining to offences against women only.
Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019
• To ensure speedy trial, Government is establishing Exclusive Special Courts
in each district.
• These courts will exclusively deal with cases of offences against women
and children including rape, gangrape, acid attacks, stalking, voyeurism,
social media harassment of women, sexual harassment and all cases
under POCSO Act.
• State Govt. is introducing ‘Andhra Pradesh Special Courts for Specified
Offences against Women & Children Act, 2019’ for this.
7. Reducing Appeal period to 45 days for disposal of rape
cases against Women & Children

Present Status
• Period for disposal of appeal cases related to rape cases against women &
children is currently 6 months.

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• Period for disposal of appeal cases has been reduced to 45 days.
• Amendments are being made in Section 374 & 377 of Code of Criminal
Procedure Act, 1973
8. Constitution of Special Police Teams and Appointment of
Special Public Prosecutor in Special Courts

Present Status
• No such provision in existing laws

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• The State Govt. will constitute a Special Police teams at District level to be
called District Special Police Team to be headed by DSP for investigation
of offences related to Women & Children.
• Govt. will also appoint Special Public Prosecutor for each exclusive Special
Court.
• State Govt. is introducing ‘Andhra Pradesh Special Courts for Specified
Offences against Women & Children Act, 2019’ for adding these provisions.
9. Introducing Women & Children Offenders Registry

Present Status
• Govt. of India has launched National Registry of Sexual offenders but the
database is not digitized and is not accessible to public.

Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019

• Government of Andhra Pradesh will establish, operate and maintain a register
in electronic form, to be called the ‘Women & Children Offenders
Registry’.
• This registry will be made public and will be available to law enforcement
agencies.
• State Govt. is introducing ‘Andhra Pradesh Special Courts for Specified
Offences against Women & Children Act, 2019’
 Government of
Andhra Pradesh

9 Reasons why Andhra Pradesh Disha Act 2019 will

be remembered in history for providing protection
to Women & Children against Sexual Offences