NEW DELHI: Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government on Tuesday tabled the anti-rape Bill in the assembly which seeks to impose the death penalty on persons convicted of rape, if their actions result in the victim’s death or cause her to become vegetative, and a life sentence for the rape and gang rape case.
Named Aparajita Woman and Child Bill, (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, it also proposed the creation of a Special Task Force at the district level, named ‘Aparajita Task Force’ and establishing a dedicated special court and investigation team.
In the wake of the post-graduate doctor rape and death case in Kolkata, the Trinamool Congress called for a two-day special session of the assembly.
The main aim of the Bill is to enhance protection for women and children by amending and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences and to create a safer environment for women and children in the state.
The proposed draft Bill aims to amend the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 “in their application to the state of West Bengal.
“It is a testament to the State’s unwavering commitment to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens, particularly women and children, and to ensure that heinous acts of rape and sexual offences against children are met with the full force of the law,” the draft Bill states.
The draft Bill seeks to amend sections 64, 66, 70(1), 71, 72(1), 73, 124(1) and 124 (2) of BNS, 2023, which broadly pertains to punishment for rape, rape and murder, gang-rape, repeat offenders, disclosure of victim identity and even causing hurt by use of acid, etc.
It also proposes omission of sections 65(1), 65 (2) and 70 (2) of the said Act pertaining to punishments for convictions of rape perpetrators under 16 years, 12 years and 18 years, respectively.
“The state government of West Bengal perceives the egregious act of rape of women and sexual offences against children, regardless of their age, as the utmost violation of their dignity, irrespective of the status of the perpetrator vis-a-vis the victim of the condition of the victim caused by such rape of the woman and sexual offence against the child,” the draft mentions.
The draft Bill is also slated to introduce significant changes to the investigation and prosecution process. It stipulates that probes into rape cases must be completed within 21 days of the initial report, a reduction from the previous two-month deadline.
The proposed legislation also provides for extension of the three-week investigation deadline by a period of “not exceeding 15 days by any police officer not below the rank of SP or equivalent, after recording the reasons in writing in the case diary maintained under section 192 of BNSS, 2023”.
The proposed legislation also includes harsher punishments for repeat offenders, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, along with fines. It seeks to penalise the unauthorized printing or publishing of court proceedings-related matters with imprisonment of 3 to 5 years and fines.
(With Inputs from agency)
Named Aparajita Woman and Child Bill, (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, it also proposed the creation of a Special Task Force at the district level, named ‘Aparajita Task Force’ and establishing a dedicated special court and investigation team.
In the wake of the post-graduate doctor rape and death case in Kolkata, the Trinamool Congress called for a two-day special session of the assembly.
The main aim of the Bill is to enhance protection for women and children by amending and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences and to create a safer environment for women and children in the state.
The proposed draft Bill aims to amend the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 “in their application to the state of West Bengal.
“It is a testament to the State’s unwavering commitment to uphold the fundamental rights of its citizens, particularly women and children, and to ensure that heinous acts of rape and sexual offences against children are met with the full force of the law,” the draft Bill states.
The draft Bill seeks to amend sections 64, 66, 70(1), 71, 72(1), 73, 124(1) and 124 (2) of BNS, 2023, which broadly pertains to punishment for rape, rape and murder, gang-rape, repeat offenders, disclosure of victim identity and even causing hurt by use of acid, etc.
It also proposes omission of sections 65(1), 65 (2) and 70 (2) of the said Act pertaining to punishments for convictions of rape perpetrators under 16 years, 12 years and 18 years, respectively.
“The state government of West Bengal perceives the egregious act of rape of women and sexual offences against children, regardless of their age, as the utmost violation of their dignity, irrespective of the status of the perpetrator vis-a-vis the victim of the condition of the victim caused by such rape of the woman and sexual offence against the child,” the draft mentions.
The draft Bill is also slated to introduce significant changes to the investigation and prosecution process. It stipulates that probes into rape cases must be completed within 21 days of the initial report, a reduction from the previous two-month deadline.
The proposed legislation also provides for extension of the three-week investigation deadline by a period of “not exceeding 15 days by any police officer not below the rank of SP or equivalent, after recording the reasons in writing in the case diary maintained under section 192 of BNSS, 2023”.
The proposed legislation also includes harsher punishments for repeat offenders, including life imprisonment or the death penalty, along with fines. It seeks to penalise the unauthorized printing or publishing of court proceedings-related matters with imprisonment of 3 to 5 years and fines.
(With Inputs from agency)
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