Is there any clause in the Indian Penal Code to punish an accused responsible to rape a dead woman? No, says the High Court. 

In its important judgment, the High Court of Karnataka today asked the Centre to amend the relevant provisions of the IPC or formulate a new law to provide for punishment for ‘carnal intercourse’ with corpses.

The High Court made recommendations after acquitting a person under Section 376 of the IPC as the ‘rape’ provision does not have a clause for convicting a person accused of having intercourse with a dead body, reports PTI.

As per the HC’s verdict. the accused had murdered a woman and then had sexual intercourse with her body. “The court, however, confirmed the rigorous life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000 for the accused under Section 302 (murder) of the IPC”.