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In her assembly address, the West Bengal CM has said, “Rape is a curse against humanity, and we require social reforms to prevent such atrocities”
The West Bengal Assembly has today passed the 'Aparajita' bill, aimed at strengthening laws against rape and sexual offences.
Following the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month at the RG Kar Medical Centre and Hospital, the Mamata Banerjee government had introduced the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024', which amends central laws to make the provisions more stringent.
The Bill provides for Death penalty for rapists if their acts result in the death of the victim or they suffer severe brain damage.
An Aparajita Task Force is also to be formed as per the legislation, to make sure such cases are heard and decided at the earlier, and punishment will be given within 21 days of the preliminary report.
Various Sections of BNS, 2023 which pertain to punishment for rape, rape and murder, gang-rape, repeat offenders, disclosure of victim identity and even causing hurt by use of acid, etc are proposed to be amended.
The Supreme Court is also seized of its suo moto case relating to the incident from August 9, 2024 where a young doctor working at a medical college in Kolkata was brutally raped and murdered.
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud, Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice Manoj Misra is hearing the matter presently.
The victim was found dead in a seminar hall at the hospital last Friday. The CBI has registered an FIR, building on the initial police report, which includes charges of rape and murder.
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