New Delhi: Justice J.S. Verma, who headed the panel on anti-rape laws in the aftermath of the Dec 16 gang-rape, died due to liver failure and bleeding in the stomach here Monday. He was 80.
He died at Gurgaon’s Medanta Hospital at 9.30 p.m..
“Justice Verma was admitted to the hospital on Friday with complaint of liver failure. He died at 9.30 p.m. of liver failure and bleeding in the stomach,” Yatin Mehta, head of the Institute of Critical Care Medanta, told IANS.
Justice Verma was the 27th Chief Justice of India from March 25, 1997 to Jan 18, 1998.
Justice Verma headed the three-member panel set up by the government following the nationwide outrage following the Dec 16 gang-rape to suggest amendments to anti-rape laws.
The panel submitted its recommendations on Jan 23 in a 630-page report, suggesting amendment of criminal laws to provide for stringent punishment for rapists, including those belonging to police and public servants.
Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, condoling the death, described him as “a man of vast understanding and knowledge of law” and said he would miss his “generous advice and guidance on matters of public importance”. (IANS)