The West Bengal Assembly has passed the Aparajita Bill, a significant anti-rape legislation, on September 3, 2024. Titled the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ the legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences.
This bill aims to enhance protections for women and children by introducing stringent measures against sexual offenses, including capital punishment for rapists whose actions result in the victim’s death or a vegetative state. It also mandates life imprisonment for those convicted of rape and gang rape, with provisions for repeat offenders facing severe penalties, including the death penalty and financial fines.
This law, named the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ was approved during a special two-day Assembly session convened by the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.
Key features of the Aparajita Bill include:
Expedited Investigations: Investigations into rape cases must be completed within 21 days, a reduction from the previous two-month timeframe, with a possible 15-day extension under specific conditions.
Special Task Force: Establishment of a district-level ‘Aparajita Task Force’ led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police to focus on these cases.
Specialized Courts: Proposal for 52 special courts dedicated to handling rape and sexual offense cases to minimize victim trauma and ensure efficient processing.
Victim Privacy Protections: Introduction of penalties for unauthorized publication of court proceedings to safeguard the victim’s identity, with offenders facing imprisonment of three to five years.
The bill received unanimous support in the Assembly, including backing from the opposition, reflecting a collective commitment to addressing the urgent issue of sexual violence in the state. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the day as historic, emphasizing the need for robust legal frameworks to protect women’s rights.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s Remarks on the Aparajita Bill:
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee made several key points during the introduction and passage of the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill 2024 in the state assembly:
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Calling it a ‘historic’ bill: CM Mamata said September 3 is a significant date as it marks the 43rd anniversary of the UN ratifying the ‘Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women’ in 1981 She described the bill as a “model” and a tribute to the 31-year-old trainee doctor who was raped and murdered at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
Mamata urged the Governor to sign: the bill immediately to make it a law, stating it is the state government’s responsibility to enact it after that. She called for the death penalty for the accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case, asking the CBI to deliver justice.
Mamata highlighted the need for social reforms to stop crimes against women: the bill aims to bridge loopholes in central legislation for rape cases. She claimed women in West Bengal get justice in court, unlike states like UP and Gujarat which have an “abnormally high rate” of crimes against women.
Mamata criticized the central government: saying she had written two letters to the Prime Minister but did not get any reply. She opposed the hasty passage of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023 before the elections without consulting states.
(With Inputs from Agencies and Photo Credit: X)
