West Bengal Presents New Bill Giving Death Penalty for Rape "Aparajita Bill"
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The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the 'Aparajita' bill, an anti-rape legislation introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government. With this move, West Bengal became the first state in India to amend central laws concerning rape, gang-rape, and sexual crimes against children.
The bill will now be forwarded to West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose and subsequently to President Droupadi Murmu for their approval.
Describing the bill as "historic" and a "model," Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee dedicated it to the memory of a 31-year-old trainee doctor who was recently raped and murdered at the government-run RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital. The 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024' introduces stringent penalties, including the death sentence for those convicted of rape if their actions lead to the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state. It also mandates life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for rape convicts.
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During her address, Mamata Banerjee urged the Leader of Opposition (LoP), Suvendu Adhikari, to advocate for the Governor’s quick approval of the bill, emphasizing the state's responsibility to implement it once enacted."Rape is a heinous crime against humanity, and social reforms are necessary to prevent such acts," Banerjee stated. She also criticized the high rates of crimes against women in states like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat, while asserting that West Bengal has been effective in delivering justice to victims.
The BJP, while supporting the bill, highlighted that the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) also contains stringent measures to combat crimes against women and children. LoP Suvendu Adhikari submitted a motion seeking seven amendments to the bill, stressing the need for its immediate implementation.
The passage of the 'Aparajita' bill comes after a two-day special session of the assembly, which was convened amidst widespread protests following the tragic rape and murder of the trainee doctor in Kolkata last month.