The West Bengal Assembly has passed unanimously the Aparajita bill intended to New Laws for Rape & Sexual Offenses making it first state of India which amends central laws of these heinous crimes. This legislation comes after a trainee doctor was raped and killed at RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital. West Bengal’s Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the bill as ‘historic’ and a ‘model’ and named it after the victim. The recently passed ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024’ is a similar Call to end gender based violence where anyone convicted of rape is punishable to death.
In the same session, Banerjee also explained that the intent of the bill is to cover areas that are missing in the existing central laws. She pointed out the necessity of the social reforms which could become the prevention of such crimes and called the Leader of the opposition Suvendu Adhikari to get quick permission of the Governor CV Ananda Bose.
Key provisions of the bill include:Key provisions of the bill include:
- Stiff measures as a criminal justice to harrasment and rape.
- Likely to be harsher as regards to the implementation of the POCSO Act.
- The recent measures introduced to deter Indian rapists are as follows; Death penalty for rapists if the victim dies or suffers severe brain damage.
- The development of an Aparajita Task Force, to dispense immediate justice, investigating a case within 21 days to come up with their report.
- CYBER physical security measures for women healthcare workers, surveillance through CCTV cameras, women safety scheme ‘Ratri Saathi for the women working at night.
While referring to crime against women Banerjee condemned UP and Gujarat for having high rate of crime against women while pointing towards justice delivered in WB. The BJP said it would support the bill but pointed out there are enough provisions in the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita to address crimes against women and children. A new law was proclaimed by Adhikari urging to start its functioning at once.
