No special Parliament session for amending rape laws: Govt

The government on Friday ruled out convening a special session of Parliament to discuss stricter punishment for sexual offences saying the issue would be taken up after receipt of the Justice Verma Committee report.

"Until we get Justice Verma Committee report (we cannot hold a session). After that (the report comes) the Budget session starts," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told reporters in New Delhi.

The Budget session usually starts around third week of February.

When asked whether the government will give priority to tightening rape laws, Nath said, "of course".

The committee headed by former Chief Justice of India J S Verma was set up on December 23, 2012, with a mandate to review the present statute so as to provide for speedier justice and enhanced punishment in cases of aggravated sexual assault. The committee has to submit its report in 30 days.

Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Left, have been demanding a special session of the Parliament to discuss the present rape laws and passing measures which could serve as a deterrent in commission of crimes against women.

The demand was made after a 23-year-old girl was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus here on December 16. She died in a Singapore hospital on December 29.