Kolkata : The West Bengal Assembly unanimously passed the the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024, with a voice vote on September 3.
State Law Minister Moloy Ghatak had introduced the anti-rape Bill during the special session in the Assembly, as Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee called it “historic”.
The Bill was tabled in the wake of the rape and murder of a woman doctor at the State-run R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in August.
During discussion on it, Banerjee asked BJP legislators to urge the Governor of the State to sign the Bill.
“Rape is a curse against humanity and social reforms are required to prevent such crimes,” she said. “Once this Bill is passed, we will form a special Aparajita Task Force from among police to ensure time-bound completion of probe.”
“It is a historic and model Bill, and any well-meaning person will support it,” said Banerjee.
“I had told the family of the deceased that we will hand over the case to the CBI if the police was unable to crack it… Now, the case is with the CBI at the directions of the Calcutta High Court. Now, we want justice from CBI. The CBI should hang the culprits,” she said.
Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly Suvendu Adhikari extended full support to the bill, adding that Opposition BJP legislators want execution of the Bill immediately.
The proposed amendments to the Bill moved by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, were, however, not accepted by the House.
Following Adhikari’s speech, Opposition MLAs raised slogans and demanded CM Banerjee’s resignation over the rape and murder.
Banerjee responded by demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the Chief Ministers of all States that have “not been able to implement effective legislations to safeguard women”.
“What if I raise slogans against the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for the same reasons you are raising slogans against me?” she asked.
States like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have abnormally high crime rates against women whereas in West Bengal, tortured women are getting justice in courts, she claimed.
The proposed legislation seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state.
Additionally, it stipulates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape.
The legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences.
