Bengal Anti-Rape Bill: 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.
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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 ‘Aprajita 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, disclosing 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.
(This story is being updated.)