Punishment for Rape:

• The panel, led by Justice J.S. Verma, did not advocate for the death penalty for rapists. Instead, it recommended rigorous imprisonment (RI) for seven years to life. Punishment for causing death or a “persistent vegetative state” was suggested to be RI for a minimum of 20 years, potentially for life. Gang-rape could lead to a punishment of not less than 20 years, extending to life, and gang-rape followed by death would result in life imprisonment.

Punishment for Other Sexual Offenses: Recognizing the need to curb various forms of sexual offenses, the committee proposed:

• Upto seven years in jail for voyeurism.
• Up to three years for stalking or repeated attempts to contact a person through any means.
• Up to seven years for acid attacks.
• Rigorous imprisonment for seven to ten years for trafficking.

Registering Complaints and Medical Examination:

• Every rape complaint must be registered by the police, and civil society is urged to report any known cases. Failure by an officer to register a rape case or attempt to obstruct its investigation is deemed an offense. Protocols for the medical examination of sexual assault victims were also recommended.

Marriages to be Registered:

• The committee proposed mandatory registration of all marriages in India, irrespective of personal laws. A magistrate would oversee the registration, ensuring it occurred without dowry demands and with the full and free consent of both partners.

Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure:

• Suggested modifications to the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 2012, to account for sexual assault on men, as well as homosexual, transgender, and transsexual rape. Special procedures for protecting persons with disabilities from rape were deemed urgent.

Bill of Rights for Women:

• Advocated for a separate Bill of Rights for women, guaranteeing a life of dignity and security, including complete sexual autonomy.

Review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act:

• Urged a review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) due to concerns that systematic sexual violence was being legitimized.

Police Reforms:

• Emphasized the need for police officers with outstanding ability and character at higher levels. Advocated for moral vision in the police force and cautioned against its misuse for political purposes.

Role of the Judiciary:

• Called for the judiciary’s proactive role in enforcing fundamental rights and recommended an all-India strategy to address the issue of missing children.

Political Reforms: –

• Suggested reforms to tackle the criminalization of politics, including disqualifying candidates facing criminal charges from participating in the electoral process and voluntary vacation of seats by lawmakers with criminal charges.