New Delhi: The Law Commission of India has asked the Centre to ratify the United Nations Convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment to tide over the difficulties faced by the country in getting criminals extradited.
In its 273rd report submitted to the government, the commission, headed by Justice B.S. Chauhan, took note of the absence of an anti-torture law to secure an individual’s right to life and liberty and said ratification of the Convention is necessary.
The commission also said in the event of the Central government deciding to ratify the Convention, then it could consider the draft Bill against torture for passing a law by Parliament to provide for a stringent law with life imprisonment to perpetrators of torture.
To curb the menace of torture and to have a deterrent effect on acts of torture, the commission has recommended stringent punishment to the perpetrators of such acts. The draft Bill provides for punishment extending up to life imprisonment and fine, and also compensation to victims who suffer torture. The courts will decide upon a justifiable compensation after taking into account various facets of an individual case, such as nature, purpose, extent and manner of injury, including mental agony caused to the victim.
