Death for rape

The Criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance deserves approbation (“Cabinet approves death for rape of girls under 12 years”, April 22). A cursory glance at data shows that there is a mind-boggling number of cases pending under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act in courts across the country. It is imperative that these are put on the fast track and the perpetrators made to pay heavily.

N.J. Ravi Chander,

Bengaluru

Keeping aside the debate over the deterrent value of the death penalty, severely punishing those convicted of the rape of minor girls is a step in the right direction. It is also time that awareness is created about the issue of child sexual abuse irrespective of gender.

Narasimha Kulkarni,

Pune