The Union Cabinet today recommended to the President to issue an ordinance to deal with crime against women effectively. An official spokesman said in New Delhi that the Cabinet recommended to issue an ordinance on amending the criminal law. The ordinance is based on the recommendations of the Justice Verma committee report.

The report was submitted recently suggesting ways to deal with crime against women. The panel had recommended enhanced punishment of imprisonment up to 20 years for rape and life term for gangrape and murder. It had also suggested that crimes like stalking, disrobing a woman and voyeurism be treated as new offences with stringent punishment. The committee had also recommended broadening the definition of rape.

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had assured that the government will take speedy action to implement the recommendations of the report.