On Friday, the Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee of the House of Representatives decided to propose amendments to highly contested statute of limitations on rape.
According to Section 292(2) of the National Penal Code, a plaintiff can file a complaint only within a year from the date of the incident.
The committee said it will propose extensions to the statute of limitations.
“We have decided to amend the existing law. Statute of limitations for rape of individuals above 18 years, for children, disabled individuals and senior citizens will be increased,” said Laxman Aryal, secretary at the parliamentary Law, Justice and Human Rights Committee.
According to the new amendment proposal, adults who are subjected to rape will be able to file a lawsuit within two years of the incident.
Likewise, in the case of minors, a rape case can be filed within three years of the victims turning 18.
“Any incident that has happened while the individual was a minor can be brought forth until they are 21 years old,” said Aryal.
In addition, for people with disabilities and senior citizens, the victims will be able to bring forth a complaint within three years of the incident.
However, even under these amendments to the statute of limitations on rape, recent cases, like that of the child actor and model that came to light in May, will not be accommodated.
