What is Gang Rape?

[Trigger Warning: The following content contains information on physical violence and sexual violence which some readers may find disturbing.]

Gang rape refers to the rape of a woman by multiple people/a group of people acting together with the common intention to rape. In a case of gang rape, each person in the group is guilty of the crime.¹

The punishment for gang rape² is imprisonment for twenty years to life imprisonment (imprisonment for the rest of the perpetrator’s life). If the survivor is below sixteen years, the punishment is life imprisonment for the rest of the perpetrator’s life. If the survivor is below twelve years, the perpetrators are punishable with death also.

Further, the perpetrators must pay a fine which is just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the survivor. The fine is paid to the survivor.

1. Section 376D, Indian Penal Code, 1860.[↩]
2. Section 376DA, Indian Penal Code, 1860.[↩]