Why India's Rape Laws Are Getting Tougher—But Convictions Still Lag

A violent crime in Bihar has renewed debate about India's 2013 rape law reforms, which made penalties harsher and added the death penalty. The problem: convictions haven't increased. Official records show few cases result in guilty verdicts. Reasons include weak police investigations, witnesses too afraid to testify, and bias within courts. Poorer regions like Bihar lack adequate courts and support for survivors.