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

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee addressed the state assembly regarding the Kolkata doctor murder case, emphasizing transparency and swift action. She introduced the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill, aiming to expedite investigations and increase penalties for crimes against women and children, including the death penalty for fatal rape cases.

 The West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee spoke in the state assembly on Tuesday and explained how her government dealt with the recent tragedy at the RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata. The Chief Minister enumerated the measures that were taken after the rape and murder of a doctor, to show that her government was not only serious in its fight against crime, but also very forthcoming in the way it handled the situation. 

 Banerjee said that she had directly contacted the victim’s family on the same day of the incident, that is, August 9. In a bid to dispel all doubts, the Chief Minister said that all the audio, video, and CCTV records were shared with the family before she went to their house. This action shows that the government is willing to be transparent in dealing with such matters as this one. 

 The Chief Minister appreciated the performance of the state police and said that the main accused was arrested within a record time of 12 hours of the crime. At the outset, Banerjee had ordered that the case be taken up on a fast track basis and that the prosecution should pray for the death penalty for the accused. But the case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which Banerjee supports in order to get justice. 

 In a broader perspective of the problem of crimes against women in India, Banerjee demanded action from the central government. She called for the removal of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the chief ministers of the states where such incidents have happened in the recent past for their inability to enact and enforce good laws to protect women. 

 The assembly session also saw the introduction of a groundbreaking piece of legislation: the Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024. This new bill is expected to bring a new dawn in the way the state addresses cases of violence against women and children. It seeks to increase efficiency in investigations, guarantee quicker delivery of justice, and greatly improve penalties for the offenders. 

 Some of the provisions of the bill include capital punishment for rape that leads to the death of the victim or puts her in a state of permanent coma and lifetime imprisonment for rapists. The bill also aims at altering the existing national laws in relation to West Bengal and shortening the time taken to investigate rape cases from two months to 21 days. 

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 This bill is a progressive step towards combating and preventing crimes against women and children as this bill goes through the legislative process in West Bengal. The actions of the Chief Minister and the introduction of this new bill clearly demonstrate the state government’s continued determination to address this important issue and to protect the rights and well-being of its people.