West Bengal’s ‘Aparajita’ anti-rape Bill

September 4, 2024

The West Bengal Assembly recently passed the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024. This new law is designed to provide stronger protections for women and children, particularly in response to the rising concerns about sexual crimes. Notably, the bill received unanimous support, including from the Opposition, showing how important and urgent these measures are.

What are the Key Provisions of the Bill?

Life Sentence Without Parole: People convicted of rape will face life imprisonment with no chance of parole, meaning they will stay in prison for the rest of their lives. Additionally, they will have to pay a financial penalty.

Capital Punishment: The Bill introduces the death penalty for offenders whose crimes lead to the victim’s death or leave the victim in a permanent, severely disabled state.

Revisions to the POCSO Act: The Bill includes strict changes to the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, which is a law that protects children from sexual abuse. These changes aim to further strengthen the safety and rights of minors.

Aparajita Task Force: A special task force will be created to speed up the legal process in cases involving sexual crimes. The goal is to ensure that those accused are charged within 21 days after the initial investigation, with the trial being completed within 30 days.

Enhanced Security for Medical Personnel: The Bill sets aside ₹120 crores to improve security for doctors and nurses, especially when they are traveling to and from work. This is to ensure their safety, given the rising incidents of violence against medical staff.

Acid Attack Convictions: Those convicted of acid attacks will also face life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, reflecting the severity of these crimes.

Background to Legislation

The urgency for this Bill was underscored by a recent tragic incident where a female medical professional was brutally raped and murdered. This horrific crime led to widespread public outrage and compelled the assembly to take immediate action. The Bill was introduced by Law Minister Moloy Ghatak as a strong response to the ongoing violence against women and children in West Bengal.

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