In a landmark order, the Madras High Court on Friday suggested castration of offenders as a deterrent for curbing spiralling sex offences against children. Madras HC Justice N Kurubakaran has stated that castrating child rapists and sex offenders is the best punishment.
“Suggestion of castration looks barbaric, but barbaric crimes should definitely attract barbaric model of punishment. Many may not agree with this. Still, everyone needs to understand the stark reality in society and appreciate the punishment suggested,” he said.
Justice N Kirubakaran made these statements when he was passing orders on a plea from a foreigner for quashing a case against him. The man is facing charges of paedophilia in Tamil Nadu.
“When law is ineffective and incapable of addressing the menace, this court cannot keep its hands folded and remain a silent spectator, unmoved and oblivious of the recent happenings of horrible blood-curdling gang rapes of children in various parts of India,” Kirubakaran said.
The judge also directed the Central government to decide on introducing compulsory sex education in high school.
In 2011, the man, a British national, allegedly paid money to the mother of a 15-year-old boy, promising to educate the boy. He then took the boy to Delhi and assaulted him. A case was registered after an organisation moved court and rescued the boy, the report said.
Sexual offences against children had risen from 38,172 to 89,423 between 2012 and 2014 while the conviction rate for such crimes was only 2.4%.