Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:

• Section 64 punishes rape, and aggravated rape, including rape of a woman with a mental or physical disability, is punishable with rigorous imprisonment of at least 10 years, extendable to life imprisonment.
• Section 70 punishes gang rape with rigorous imprisonment of at least 20 years, extendable to life (the remainder of the convict’s natural life), and a fine for the victim.
• Section 72 prohibits publishing the identity of a rape survivor, so reports must not name or identify her.

• Recording of the survivor’s statement: Under the earlier CrPC Section 164(5A), now under the BNSS, a woman survivor’s statement is recorded by a woman magistrate. For a survivor with a mental or physical disability, an interpreter or special educator assists, and the recording is videographed.
• Disability law: The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016 recognises intellectual disability and protects persons with disabilities from abuse, violence and exploitation (Section 7), with penal provisions for offences against them.
• Reforms: The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2013, passed after the Nirbhaya case, widened the definition of sexual offences and raised punishments.
• Support in Odisha: One Stop Centres provide medical, legal and counselling help for survivors, and the state runs a victim compensation scheme and fast-track special courts for sexual offences.
• Constitutional basis: Article 21 (life and dignity), Article 15(3) (special provisions for women) and Article 41 (DPSP, public assistance for persons with disabilities).

The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (Sections 64, 70 and 72), the BNSS provisions on recording a survivor’s statement, the RPwD Act, 2016 and Articles 15(3), 21 and 41 are recurring themes for OPSC Prelims (Indian Polity, Odisha Current Events) and OPSC Mains GS Paper II (Social Justice, Vulnerable Sections and Criminal Law Reforms).

For structured notes on Odisha-specific current affairs, aspirants preparing in Bhubaneswar can join the OPSC Foundation Batch at Strive Edge IAS — recognized as one of the best OPSC OAS coaching institutes in Bhubaneswar.