West Bengal Anti-Rape Bill: Here's What Mamata Banerjee Said

The West Bengal government has announced a new Anti-Rape Bill named ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024’ today on September 3, 2024. This bill has been drafted with the aim of fostering a safer environment and stricter punishments for rapists and sex offenders. Scroll down to read all you need to know about West Bengal’s Anti-Rape bill. Keep reading to learn more.

West Bengal Announces Anti-Rape Bill

As per media reports, "The West Bengal government has tabled the newly drafted 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024' today, during a special two-day session of the Assembly after the sexual assault and murder of a doctor in Kolkata. The bill will amend provisions of the newly passed Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and the POCSO Act."

Mamata Banerjee Proposes The Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill At The West Bengal Assembly 

In a video posted by ANI, Mamata Banerjee expressed the merits of the bill and said, "This bill will ensure that the harshest punishment is given for cases of harassment and rape of women. In this, the provisions of the POCSO Act have been further tightened... Death penalty has been provided 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, in which punishment will be given within 21 days of the preliminary report... I have already told the Health Secretary that the routes on which nurses and female doctors travel should be covered, for this, I have sanctioned Rs 120 crores. CCTV cameras will be installed everywhere, where there is no toilet, it will be arranged... 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... We have done this for the safety of women. Women working at night will be given full security, we have also asked hospitals, schools, mid-day meal centres to take appropriate steps. From here, after passing this bill, it will go to the Governor, after passing from him, it will go to the President and after her approval, it will be historic. Every state will make it a model. The Prime Minister could not do this, so we are doing this." 

#WATCH | Kolkata: At the West Bengal Assembly, CM Mamata Banerjee says, "...This bill will ensure that the harshest punishment is given for cases of harassment and rape of women. In this, the provisions of the POCSO Act have been further tightened... Death penalty has been… pic.twitter.com/zsCSm8CpOQ

— ANI (@ANI) September 3, 2024

What Is The West Bengal Anti-Rape Bill?

The West Bengal Anti-Rape Bill states the following:

• Capital punishment for rape convicts if the victim dies or is in a vegetative state
• Other convicts of rape and gang rape receive a life sentence for the "rest of their natural lives."
• Probes in rape cases are to be completed within 21 days of initial reports, down from the previous two-month deadline.
• Fast-track courts for swift justice.

Image Credits: Freepik & Instagram/fayedsouza

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