The West Bengal assembly, in a session marked by intense debate and political exchanges, unanimously passed the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024’ on Tuesday. This legislative move, championed by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, positions Bengal as the pioneering state in the country to amend existing central laws concerning rape, gang-rape, and sexual crimes against children.
The bill introduces severe penalties, including the death penalty for offenders convicted of rape leading to the death or vegetative state of the victim. Additionally, it mandates a life sentence without parole for rape convictions, reflecting the state’s stringent stance against sexual crimes.
During the assembly discussions, Chief Minister Banerjee addressed the opposition, specifically calling on Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, to expedite the governor’s approval of the bill. Banerjee emphasized the necessity of this bill to address the loopholes in the central legislation, describing rape as “a curse against humanity” that necessitates both legal and social reforms.
Despite the general consensus on the bill’s objectives, the BJP proposed several amendments, seeking to ensure its swift implementation. Adhikari, voicing support for the bill, stressed the urgency of its enforcement and called for unity and cooperation across party lines to ensure justice for victims.
This legislative session was particularly significant, taking place against the backdrop of recent public outrage following the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. The Chief Minister also critiqued the central government for not consulting the state before passing the Bhartiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), which also addresses crimes against women and children.
