West Bengal government proposes anti-rape bill in state assembly

Following the nationwide outrage towards the West Bengal government in the Kolkata rape-murder case, the state government has proposed a new anti-rape bill at the state assembly. On Tuesday, the state’s law minister, Moloy Ghatak, presented the bill at a special session of the state assembly.

The bill will likely be discussed for a couple of hours in the assembly. BJP MLAs, including Sikha Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul, are anticipated to talk over the bill along with Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will represent the government, accompanied by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay.

CM Mamata lauded the state anti-rape bill as ‘model, historic’. She further demanded justice from the CBI in the murder-rape case. “We want justice from the CBI, death by hanging of the guilty,” she said. Further adding, she said, “The opposition should ask the governor to sign the bill; it is our responsibility to enact it after that.”

What does the anti-rape bill says?

According to the proposed bill, the rapist should be given the death penalty if their action leads to the death of the victim or leaves her in a permanent vegetative state. Additionally, the bill guarantees lifelong imprisonment without parole for the culprit found guilty of rape and gang rape.

The legislation is labelled as ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024’ and is designed to promote women’s and children’s safety by updating the new provision regarding rape and sexual offence.

The two-day special assembly was organised concerning the recent murder-rape case at the state-run Medical College and Hospital last month. The session commenced on Monday and will continue till Tuesday, touching on some crucial points regarding the mishap.

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