Bengal Assembly Passes 'Aparajita Bill', BJP Lends Full Support To State Anti-Rape Law

Aprajita Anti-Rape Bill: The West Bengal Assembly has unanimously passed a state anti-rape Bill after the Opposition lends full support

Bengal anti-rape law: The Opposition, led by BJP's Suvendu Adhikari, supported the Aparajita Bill introduced by the Mamata Banerjee government in the Bengal Assembly.

Source : PTI

Bengal Anti-Rape Bill: The West Bengal Assembly has passed the state anti-rape Bill. The Bill was unanimously supported by the Opposition as the BJP and CPI-M lent full support to it.

The Bill introduced by Bengal minister Malay Ghatak, is named Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2024. It seeks to bring down cases of rape against women and children by introducing stricter punishments for cases of heinous crimes.

What The Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill Proposes

This Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment) Bill, 2024, seeks stricter punishments, including life imprisonment and death penalty, in cases like rape and murder. Rape and gang rape carry a minimum sentence of life imprisonment and even the death penalty under this bill. The Bill aims to bring in provisions for speedy trial and severe punishments in cases of rape and heinous crimes against women.

The Bill specifically seeks to amend the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in their enactment in Bengal. The Bill also makes way for the creation of an Aparajita Task Force in the districts to make the state safer for women and children.

In order to deter crimes against women and children, the 'Aparajita Bill' proposes changes to sections 64, 66, 70(1), 71, 72(1), 73, 124(1), and 124(2), of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. These sections deal with punishments for rape, rape and murder, gang rape, repeat offenders, disclosure of the identity of a victim of crimes like rape, and acid attacks.

It also seeks the setting up of a special court and a dedicated investigation team to try cases of crimes against women and children.

Amendments Sought In Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill By BJP

As the Bill was proposed for discussion, Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said he did not want any voting on such a law. He said the Opposition's support was unanimous.

Suvendu Adhikari said, "It is the responsibility of the state government to turn the Bill into a law. It is the responsibility of the Chief Minister and the Law Minister to make it into law. We want this bill to become law as soon as possible. We shall not oppose it. He also said, "I shall listen to whatever the Chief Minister says in the Assembly without protesting."

He, however, criticised the state government and the police in the RG Kar Medical College doctor death case. Adhikari said that the government was trying to divert attention from the incident by presenting the 'Aparajita Bill'. "The government is trying to divert attention from public anger and protests. We want immediate punishment without sending the Bill to a select committee."

Suvendu Adhikari earlier proposed some amendments to the Bill:

1. If the police station refuses to take the FIR or makes an undue delay in registering the case, maximum punishment should be awarded to the errant officers.

2. Health officers responsible for the statutory medical examination or autopsy should be punished for any procedural negligence.

3. Officials or cops must be strictly punished in case of loss/tampering of evidence.

4. Only physical testimony is to be accepted. Changing the day of testimony without hospitalisation due to illness must not be entertained.

5. If the investigating police officer, the medical examiner, or the health worker concerned changes his/her statement, strict punishment should be awarded.

6. Full security must be provided to witnesses by the state government during testimony

7. Punishment must be meted out swiftly within 30 days after the trial is completed.