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West Bengal Assembly unanimously passes state anti-rape Bill
KOLKATA — West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the chief ministers of all states that have "not been able to implement effective legislations to safeguard women".
Speaking in the assembly after tabling of the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024, Banerjee said the Bill aims at quick investigation, fast justice delivery and enhanced punishment of the guilty.
"Rape is a curse against humanity and social reforms are required to prevent such crimes," she said.
Once this Bill is passed, we will form a special Aparajita Task Force from among police to ensure time-bound completion of probe, the chief minister said.
Hailing the Bill as "historic and model for other states", Banerjee said that through this proposed legislation, her government has tried to plug the loopholes that exist in the central legislations in terms of speedy and effective disposal of justice to victims and their kin.
Also read: Doctor death: Bengal govt proposes capital punishment for rape-murder convicts in draft Bill
When the BJP MLAs raised slogans demanding her resignation, she retorted, "What if I raise slogans against the prime minister and the home minister for the same reasons you are raising slogans against me."
States like Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat have abnormally high crime rates against women whereas in West Bengal, tortured women are getting justice in courts, she claimed.
Banerjee alleged that West Bengal was not consulted before passing BNS.
"We wanted discussions on it after the formation of the new government at the Centre," she said.
Banerjee told the Opposition to ask the governor to sign the Bill without delay, while asserting that it would be the state government's responsibility for its effective enactment.
"We want justice from the CBI and death by hanging of the guilty," Banerjee said over the rape and murder of the RG Kar medic while expressing her sorrow over the gruesome crime.
The Bill was later passed unanimously amid some chaotic scenes on the floor of the House.
West Bengal Assembly unanimously passes state anti-rape Bill
The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the state anti-rape Bill after Opposition lend full support to it.
The proposed amendments to the Bill moved by Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, were, however, not accepted by the House.
VIDEO | Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) moves amendments for the anti-rape Bill, which was tabled by the state government earlier today.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 3, 2024
Titled the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill… pic.twitter.com/mOzAKK2vT9
The draft legislation seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state.
Additionally, it stipulates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape.
Titled the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' the legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences.
A two-day special session of the assembly has been summoned on Monday in the wake of the rape-murder of a woman medic at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.
The Bill was tabled by state Law Minister Moloy Ghatak.