Think of harsher punishment for child rape accused: SC

New Delhi, Jan 11 The Supreme Court on Monday said parliament may think of formulating laws providing for harsher punishment for those accused of rape and abuse of minor children.

An apex court bench headed by Justice Dipak Misra said this while hearing a petition filed by Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association seeking castration of child rape convicts.

The bench told the petitioner's lawyer Mahalakshmi Pavani that emotions and sentiments could not be a basis for framing of laws for providing stringent punishment for convicts. 

The court noted Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi's submission that law-making power was within the domain of parliament and the same could not be exercised by courts.