Karnataka Judge Proposes Severe Punishments to Deter Crime

During a Karnataka High Court bail hearing for a rape accused, Judge R. Nataraj controversially suggested that severe punishments, similar to those in Middle Eastern nations, are required to deter crime in India. He remarked that existing laws have "lost their teeth" because offenders are not dealt with firmly. The court subsequently denied immediate bail to the student, directing that he remain in judicial custody for several additional days. The prosecution alleged the defendant sexually assaulted a classmate in 2023, which caused her significant trauma. The accused denied the allegations, yet the judge's vocal comments regarding corporal punishment faced widespread criticism online for being unconstitutional and barbaric.