What’s in Bengal’s Aparajita Bill to be tabled today–

Rocked by demonstrations by junior physicians and masses over the rape and murder of a 31-year-old postgraduate student physician at the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal federal government will certainly table anti-rape expense, called the Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, 2024 in the Assembly on Tuesday.

The freshly prepared anti-rape Bill of the West Bengal federal government recommends execution, or death sentence, for rape convicts if their activity result in target’s fatality or leave her in a vegetative state.

The Bill additionally recommends a life sentence without parole for those founded guilty of rape and gangrape.

What West Bengal anti-rape Bill looks for?

The Bill will certainly look for to modify the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) and the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and components of the Pocso Act of 2012.

The Section 64 of BNS, which is currently effective, penalizes rape with jail terms from ten years to life. BNS Section 66 has the execution for rape and murder and rapes where survivors exist in a vegetative state though this area additionally permits a 20-year jail term or life jail time.

The draft Bill intends to produce a more secure setting for ladies and kids inWest Bengal

A two-day unique session of the West Bengal Assembly has actually been assembled by the state federal government following the rape and murder of the physician at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata.

What West Bengal’s Aparajita Bill recommends?

1 – The Bill recommends non-bailable apprehension of charged in rape situations and “imprisonment for life, which shall mean imprisonment for the remainder of that person’s natural life, or with death and fine.”

2 – Death and fine for offence of rape and inflicting injury which causes death or causes the woman to be in a vegetative state.

3 – West Bengal’s anti-rape bill also proposes longer prison terms for disclosing a rape survivor’s identity. It demands three to five years instead of the BNS punishment of two years.

4 – It also proposes three to five years in jail for printing or publishing any matter regarding court proceedings without permission.

5 – The Bill also proposes changes to the investigation and prosecution process, requiring rape case investigations to be completed within 21 days of the initial report, with a possible extension of up to 15 days.

6 – It also suggests the establishment of a ‘Special Task Force’ at the district level, called ‘Aparajita Task Force’ which will be headed by a deputy superintendent of police, to investigate offences under the new provisions.

7 – The amendments also seek to establish fast-track courts for such cases. “To expedite investigations and ensure swift justice for victims, this Bill establishes a dedicated special court and investigation team. These specialised units will be equipped with the necessary resources and expertise to handle cases of rape of women and sexual offences against children efficiently, effectively and timely, thereby minimising the trauma experienced by victims and their families,” the draft Bill states.