Lagatar24 Desk
Kolkata: In a significant legislative move, the West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the ‘Aparajita’ anti-rape bill on Tuesday, introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government. This bill marks West Bengal as the first state in India to amend central laws related to rape, gang rape, and sexual crimes against children.
The newly passed ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024’ provides for the death penalty for rape and sexual offenses that result in the victim’s death or leave them in a vegetative state. It also mandates a life sentence without the possibility of parole for those convicted of rape. The bill will now be sent to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and subsequently to President Droupadi Murmu for their assent.
Describing the bill as both “historic” and a “model” for other states, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee stated that it serves as a tribute to the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was brutally raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.
During her address to the Assembly, Mamata Banerjee emphasized the importance of closing legal loopholes in existing central legislation to prevent such heinous crimes. She urged the Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, to advocate for the Governor’s prompt approval of the bill. “Rape is a curse against humanity; social reforms are essential to stop such crimes,” Banerjee stated, calling for swift justice and the execution of those found guilty by the CBI.
Banerjee also criticized the rising crime rates against women in other states, such as Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, contrasting these with West Bengal’s efforts to deliver justice. She lamented that the state was not consulted before the passage of the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and stressed the need for dialogue on the matter.
Meanwhile, the BJP expressed support for the bill but pointed out that the BNS already contains stringent measures to combat crimes against women and children. Suvendu Adhikari, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly, proposed seven amendments to the bill. He stressed the need for the immediate implementation of the law, saying, “We fully support you, but you must guarantee that this bill will be enacted without delay.”
The passing of the bill occurred during a special two-day assembly session convened amid ongoing protests over the rape and murder of the trainee doctor in Kolkata in August. The session saw intense discussions between the ruling party and the opposition, reflecting the urgency and importance of addressing crimes against women and children in the state.
