New Delhi: Former Chief Justice of India J S Verma, who headed the panel constituted by the Government in the light of the December 16 gangrape to suggest amendments to anti-rape laws, said suggestion of the Congress in that regard were delivered past midnight for which party president Sonia Gandhi tendered an apology to him.
Justice Verma said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram were behind the formation of the panel, which gave far reaching recommendations favouring comprehensive amendments to criminal laws.
Talking to a news channel, Justice Verma said, “Past mid-night, someone came to my residence, woke me up and wanted to hand over personally (the Congress party’s suggestions). But somehow the Congress president came to know of it. She was very gracious and next day she rang me up personally and profusely apologised to my great embarrassment. I had to tell her do not do this.”
The panel, on January 23, submitted its recommendations seeking minimum 20 years imprisonment for gangrape and life term for rape and murder but refrained from prescribing death penalty. It also suggested amendment of criminal laws to provide for higher punishment to rapists, including those belonging to police and public servants. (PTI)