The court then suggested that Parliament must consider defining child abuse and bring harsher punishment for those convicted of raping children.
On a request that child rapists be punished with chemical castration, the Supreme Court today advised Parliament to consider a law for harsher punishment for such crimes.
A petition by the Supreme Court women lawyers association said that those convicted of child rape or abuse must be castrated.
"It's the job of Parliament. How can court suggest punishment which is not in law? But we can suggest it to Parliament," the Supreme Court responded.
The petitioners quoted news reports to argue that attacks on children aged between two and 10 years are on the rise and the court must step in to order tougher punishment.
Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi said that while child rape and abuse could not be tolerated, the court cannot suggest specific punishment like castration. He called it "unacceptable" and said it was for the legislature to decide punishment.
The court then suggested that Parliament must consider defining child abuse and bring harsher punishment for those convicted of raping children.
Currently, the law talks of minor includes child. The top court advised the Parliament to define child so that those rape toddlers get harsh punishment.