The ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024’ was passed unanimously on 3rd September by the West Bengal Legislative Assembly. This Bill was introduced in the wake of the rape and murder of a student doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in the State’s Capital, Kolkata on 9th August 2024.
The anti-rape bill seeks to amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 in their application in the State to enhance punishment and to constitute the framework for expeditious investigation and trial of the heinous act of violence against women and children
Some proposals under the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill are:
– Death penalty for rape resulting in death or vegetative state
– Rape investigations must conclude within 21 days
– Special fast track courts mandated for sexual violence cases
– Minimum 20 years rigorous imprisonment, maximum life imprisonment and fine in the rape of minor under 16
– District-level task force, headed by women police officers, to investigate rape and violence against women and children
– Life imprisonment for repeat offenders, with a death penalty option
– Imprisonment for 3 to 5 years and fine for disclosure of victim’s identity
– Imprisonment for 3 to 5 years and fine for printing or publishing any matter relating to court proceedings without permission
– Life imprisonment for attacking somebody with acid