The Union cabinet, chaired by prime minister Manmohan Singh, also decided to seek views of states on the 'sensitive' issue after it discussed the matter to some length.
The government has decided to set up a group of ministers (GoM) to work out details for an effective law against honour killings. The decision was taken at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.
In his opening remarks at the meeting, home minister P Chidambaram suggested including honour killings in section 300 (murder) of IPC. He also recommended amending Indian Evidence Act to put the onus of proving innocence on khap panchayats or kangaroo courts in such cases and changes in Special Marriage Act to scrap the 30-day notice period for court marriages.
But the cabinet rejected his proposal after some ministers expressed apprehension that merely amending IPC would not serve the purpose. The ministers, instead, recommended a new law to end the reign of terror of khap panchayats.
Human resource development minister Kapil Sibal, youth affairs minister MS Gill and surface transport minister Kamal Nath did not support amending IPC. They said bringing a special legislation such as sati or dowry would be a better deterrent.
It is learnt that Sibal said amending IPC 300 would make no difference as it would merely clarify the definition of murder.
The law minister apparently felt that since section 300 IPC was not being properly implemented at state levels, a strong special law was needed to protect young couples.
Gill wanted to know whether making all panchayat members accountable for a death would be possible and fair.
“GoM will have an in-depth look at the proposals. There is an urgency to bring changes in law to deal with the so-called honour killings. We do feel the pressure to bring the amendment in the monsoon session of parliament,” information broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said.
“Consultations will be completed well before the monsoon session and views of state governments [Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab, in particular] will be placed before the cabinet,” Chidambaram said.
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