The Aparajita Bill was passed unanimously in the West Bengal Assembly. Before this, there was a lot of uproar in the assembly. On one hand, Mamata Banerjee has called this bill historic. On the other hand, the BJP has said that there is a need for amendment in it. The Mamata government wants to present this bill in this form. Leader of Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari said that we want this bill to be implemented as soon as possible. However, he also said that the Mamata government has brought this bill in a hurry. Shubhendu government said that we have full support for the bill, but we do not know whether the process of presenting it has been completed or not. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that the Governor should sign it as soon as possible so that it can come into effect.
Highlights of Aparajita Bill
,The law, titled ‘The Aparajita Women and Children Bill, (West Bengal Criminal Law and Amendment) Bill 2024’, aims to strengthen the protection of women and children by including new provisions related to rape and sexual offences.
,It proposes to amend the recently enacted Indian Justice Code, 2023, Indian Civil Defence Code, 2023 Act and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 in respect of their application in the State of West Bengal, so as to enhance punishment and provide a framework for speedy investigation and trial of heinous acts of violence against women and children.
,The bill provides for hanging of the accused within 10 days of conviction. Under this, persons convicted of rape and gang rape will be given life imprisonment.
,There have been talks of making significant changes in the investigation and prosecution process. It says that the investigation of rape cases should be completed within 21 days of the initial report, which is less than the previous time limit of two months.
,The punishment for repeat offenders will be life imprisonment, which would mean that the convicted person will have to remain in prison for the rest of his life.
,Printing or publishing any material related to court proceedings without permission is punishable with three to five years imprisonment and fine.
,Along with this, it has also been suggested to form ‘Aparajita Task Force’ at the district level, which will be headed by the Deputy Superintendent of Police. This task force will be responsible for investigating crimes under the new provisions.
what did mamta say
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said that 43 years ago on this day in 1981, the United Nations formed a committee for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women to protect the rights of women. I congratulate everyone from civil societies to students, who are raising their voice for women’s safety. Mamata said that the doctor died on August 9. I spoke to the parents of the deceased doctor on the same day the incident happened, before going to their house, they were given all the audio, video, CCTV footage, everything so that they could know everything. I clearly told them to give me time till Sunday, if we are not able to arrest everyone by then, I myself will hand it over to the CBI on Monday… The police caught the main accused in 12 hours. I told the police to go to the fast track court and apply for the death penalty, but the case was given to the CBI. Now we are demanding justice from the CBI. We have been demanding the death penalty from the beginning.
Mamata Banerjee said that I had written two letters to the Prime Minister, but I did not get any reply from him. Rather, I got a reply from the Minister of Women and Child Development, but I also replied to his reply and informed the Prime Minister. When the Code of Justice Bill was passed in a hurry before the elections. Then I had said that it should not be passed in a hurry, the states were not consulted in this. I had opposed it many times that no advice was taken from the states in this regard, it should be passed after discussing with the Rajya Sabha, the opposition, all the parties, but this was not done. That is why today we are bringing this (bill). You remember, the way you have insulted me, we have never insulted the Prime Minister in that way.
At the same time, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Shubhendu Adhikari said that we want immediate implementation of this law. This is your (state government) responsibility. We want results, this is the responsibility of the government. We do not want any division, we fully support you, we will listen to the Chief Minister’s statement comfortably, she can say whatever she wants but you have to guarantee that this bill will be implemented immediately.
