Retain Section 377 provisions to cover non-consensual sex offences: Panel

Three draft reports on the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita Bill (BNSS), and Bharatiya Sakshya Bill have been circulated to standing committee members for consideration and adoption. The committee has recommended deleting the seven-year punishment for murder by mobs based on caste/community, arguing that it is an aggravated form of murder. They also endorsed retaining Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to cover non-consensual sexual offenses.