West Bengal Government is likely to introduce a bill on Tuesday imposing the death penalty for rape and murder convicts or cases leaving the victim in a vegetative state, regardless of age.
The proposed ‘Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill’ reflects the state’s response to growing public outcry following the brutal rape and murder of a woman doctor from RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata last month.
State Law Minister Malaya Ghatak will present the bill in the West Bengal Assembly, sparking a debate that is likely to draw significant attention, especially with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee anticipated to participate.
The bill proposes amendments to existing laws, including the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012, extending its applicability to all victims, regardless of age.
One of the bill’s key provisions is the clarification that ‘Imprisonment For Life’ will mean incarceration for the convict’s remaining natural life, not just a fixed term of years.
The bill also introduces financial penalties and proposes a reduction in the investigation period for rape cases from two months to 21 days, with a mandate for courts to deliver judgments within a month of charges being framed.
Additionally, the bill seeks to impose three to five years of imprisonment for anyone who prints or publishes details related to court proceedings or discloses the identity of the victim in such cases.
While the bill represents a strong stance by the state government, legal experts caution that its implementation may face challenges.
Since it seeks to amend certain central laws, the bill will require Presidential assent before it can become law.
The move has sparked debate among opposition parties and legal circles, with critics arguing that existing national laws already provide stringent measures for dealing with such heinous crimes.
The state’s police and administration have been under intense scrutiny following accusations of mishandling and attempts to cover up the details of the tragic incident involving the woman doctor, adding further urgency to the government’s legislative push.
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