Cabinet's nod for law against torture

New Delhi: The union cabinet Thursday approved a proposal to introduce a legislation on prevention of torture.

The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2010, will be a step towards ratification of 1975 UN treaty against torture, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said.

India is a signatory to a convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment.

For ratification of convention, India needs to bring a domestic law in tune with the provision of the convention, the minister told reporters after the cabinet meet.

So far, the Indian Penal Code neither defines torture nor makes it criminal as called for by Article 4 of the convention.

"It is an affirmative positive action to prevent cruelty and degradation of human life," said the minister.

As the matter is related to the concurrent list, the view of the state governments had been sought, she added.