Breaking News
1. AI breakthrough in breast cancer detection: New study claims over 17% improvement in screening accuracy      2. Inflows into equity mutual funds jump 14.5% to Rs 41,156 crore in December: AMFI      3. ONGC expects additional revenue of up to $10.3 billion from BP’s intervention in Mumbai High field      4. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas LIVE: India will fulfill world’s demand for skilled talent, says PM Modi      5. India-Taliban talks: Region in flux and 5 reasons behind Delhi’s decision to engage Kabul      6. California wildfire: Burning Los Angeles looks ‘apocalyptic’ in scary visuals      7. Tirupati stampede: Andhra Pradesh government announces ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh to next of kin of deceased      8. Massive fire at Varanasi railway station parking, over 200 vehicles gutted      9. First Sambhal, Then Ajmer: Ex-CJI Chandrachud Under Fire For ‘Opening Floodgates’ Of Survey Pleas      10. Chennai Airport Shut, Trains Hit As Cyclone Fengal Intensifies      11. 2nd Hindu Priest Arrested In Bangladesh Amid Protests: ISKCON Member      12. Man climbs mobile tower in Kota, threatens suicide over his tractor seizure      13. Body of 2-year-old, his grandmother recovered from river in Manipur      14. Bodies of six abducted in Jiribam found; Kerala CM and UDF leaders argue over BJP defection      15. Several flights, trains disrupted as Delhi covered in smog, visibility down      16. Delhi air quality: AQI at this Delhi station above 1500      17. Pawan Kalyan condemns deaths of 2 Hindu girls in Pakistan who faced ‘atrocities’      18. India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, wants its matches in Dubai      19. India not to travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy, wants its matches in Dubai      20. Samosas, cakes meant for Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu served to his security staff instead; CID probe on     

Centre responds to Mamata Banerjee’s attack as Trinamool, BJP join hands to support Bengal’s ‘Aparajita’ anti-rape bill

  • Posted on September 4, 2024
  • News
  • By Arijit Dutta
  • 215 Views

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju criticized Mamata Banerjee for politicizing a recent rape case through the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill,’ which was unanimously passed in West Bengal's assembly. The bill seeks harsh penalties for rape, faster investigations, and improved justice delivery. The Centre accused Banerjee of ignoring past efforts for legal reforms.

1725468224-FEVjvFLFwy.png

The political rivalry between the Centre and West Bengal escalated further as the Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the CM Mamata Banerjee of politicizing the recent tragic rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata by bringing the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024. 

The bill, which is based on the ‘Aparajita’ woman, proposes capital punishment for the rape convicts if the crime leads to the death of the victim or leaves her in a persistent vegetative state. It also calls for life imprisonment without any possibility of parole for other offenders, faster investigations, and trials in sexual assault cases, and the need to enhance the legal provisions against such heinous crimes. Investigations are to be completed within 21 days, which is a drastic change from the previous two months. 

 Rijiju, however, accused Banerjee of inaction earlier, pointing to a central law enacted in 2018 that made it obligatory to set up fast-track special courts for rape cases under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act. He said that he had written several letters between 2019 and 2021 to the West Bengal government but they did not agree to set up 123 fast-track courts in the state. He accused Banerjee of shirking her ‘sacred duty’ of delivering justice for women and children on time. 

Also Read: CM of West Bengal Speaks on Kolkata Doctor Murder Case and Introduces New Bill

 On the other hand, the West Bengal Chief Minister supported the bill as ‘historic’ and called upon the national leaders such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to explain why they have not enacted proper laws to protect women. The discussion in the West Bengal Assembly turned quite passionate with opposition leaders like Suvendu Adhikari accusing the government of using the bill to distract people’s outrage over the murder. In response, Banerjee demanded Adhikari’s resignation for stalling proceedings. 

 The bill, which is still awaiting the assent of the Bengal Governor and the President, will amend the existing laws such as the POCSA Act and the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, enhance the punishment for the sexual offenders and establish a strong mechanism for the speedy trial. Its passage comes after protests across the country after the brutal act that occurred at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. 

Author
No Image
Author
Arijit Dutta

You May Also Like