New Delhi: Amidst increasing incidence of rape, government on December 9 assured Lok Sabha that it would bring a "comprehensive" Legislation to check the crime even as the House passed a Bill seeking to bar cross-examination of a rape victim on her character.

Cutting across party lines, members hailed the Indian Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2002, amending original Act of 1872 by deleting two clauses which provided that in a prosecution for rape or an attempt to ravish, it may be shown that the prosecutrix is of generally immoral character.

The Bill was passed by a voice vote.

Replying to a discussion on the Bill, Law Minister Jana Krishnamurthy welcomed members' suggestion that the government should adopt a holistic approach on the issue and promised to bring a comprehensive Legislation removing various "loopholes" in the existing rape Laws.

The government would hold wide consultations with different political parties and experts and try to bring such a Bill in the next session of Parliament in an effort to curb crime against women and ensure speedy justice to victims.

"We need to review the entire Act to make disposal of rape cases time-bound and punishment more stringent," Margaret Alva (Congress) said initiating the discussion on the Indian Evidence (Amendment) Bill, 2002.

PTI