West Bengal Passes Anti-Rape Bill With Provisions Of Death Penalty, Promises Punishment Within 21 Days Of Initial Report

The West Bengal legislative assembly passed an anti-rape bill titled 'The Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill 2024' on Tuesday (3 September).

This comes days after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee promised to pass a bill within 10 days to ensure capital punishment for rapists in light of the RG Kar Medical College's rape and murder case.

The Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government has been under fire due to lapses in the investigation of the RG Kar case by the Kolkata Police and the use of police force to suppress protests.

To divert the people's anger from the TMC government, the Bill has been brought which promises the 'harshest punishment' for cases of harassment and rape of women.

Banerjee explained that the Bill further tightens the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and prescribes the death penalty for rapists if their acts result in the death of the victim or they suffer severe brain damage.

"Under this, Aparajita Task Force will be formed. It will give punishment within 21 days of the preliminary report," the TMC supremo said calling the Bill 'historic' and an example for others to follow.

Banerjee also talked about the safety of female medical professionals and claimed to have sanctioned Rs 120 crore for this purpose including arrangements for toilets, unavailable today.

"CCTV cameras will be installed everywhere. We have also made a provision of 'Ratri Saathi', which states that women will do 12 hours duty, and if needed, doctors will extend their duty," the Bengal CM said.

"We have done this for the safety of women. Women working at night will be given full security, we have also asked hospitals, schools and mid-day meal centres to take appropriate steps," she elaborated.

Banerjee also attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not bringing a similar law at the Centre-level. The Bill will now go to Governor for the approval and then to the President, she added.