Kolkata, September 3, 2024 – In a significant legislative move, the West Bengal government, led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, introduced the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024’ in the state Assembly today. The bill, which was presented by Law Minister Moloy Ghatak, seeks to strengthen legal protections for women and children by amending existing laws and introducing stricter penalties for sexual offenses.
The bill includes stringent provisions such as the imposition of severe penalties for those convicted of rape. Notably, it allows for the death penalty in cases where the crime results in the victim’s death or leaves her in a vegetative state. This legislative effort comes in response to public outrage following the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RK Kar Medical College and Hospital.
While the bill has garnered widespread support, BJP MLA Shikha Chatterjee expressed cautious optimism. Chatterjee commended the bill’s objectives but pointed out that the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, recently revised, already includes stringent laws to address crimes against women. She also criticized the West Bengal government for its absence from the national review of criminal laws held earlier this year, suggesting that a more collaborative approach could have been beneficial.
The West Bengal Assembly is scheduled to hold a two-day special session starting Monday to thoroughly debate the bill. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay are expected to lead the discussions, focusing on the potential impact of the proposed legislation on the state’s legal and social landscape.
This bill represents a critical step towards addressing and curbing crimes against women and children in West Bengal, signaling the government’s commitment to ensuring justice and safety for its citizens.