On Tuesday, 3rd September, the West Bengal legislative assembly passed ‘The Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill 2024’ or the ‘anti-rape bill’. The bill is seen as an attempt to save Mamata Banerjee-led government’s face following RG Kar Medical College’s rape and murder case. Notably, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee, had promised to pass a bill within 10 days to ensure capital punishment for the rapists.
VIDEO | West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) speaks in the state Assembly as the TMC government tables the anti-rape Bill.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 3, 2024
Titled the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' the legislation aims to strengthen protections… pic.twitter.com/wlgVrhtm9R
Since the RG Kar Medical College Rape and Murder incident came to light, the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government of the state was under fire as there were allegedly several lapses in the investigation of the case initially by Kolkata Police. Furthermore, attempts to suppress the voices of the protesters had invited more criticism for the state government with even Supreme Court asking state machinery to avoid using force against the protesters.
The Bill can be seen as an attempt to divert the anger of the people of the state. While introducing the bill, CM Banerjee explained that the Bill further tightens the provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and prescribes the death penalty for rapists if their acts result in the death of the victim or they suffer severe brain damage.
Mamata Banerjee said, “Under this, Aparajita Task Force will be formed. It will give punishment within 21 days of the preliminary report.” She also talked about the safety of female medical professionals and claimed that her government has sanctioned Rs 120 crore for the purpose which includes arranging toilets that are unavailable at this time. She said, “CCTV cameras will be installed everywhere. We have also made a provision of ‘Ratri Saathi’, which states that women will do 12 hours of duty, and if needed, doctors will extend their duty.”
“We have done this for the safety of women. Women working at night will be given full security, we have also asked hospitals, schools and mid-day meal centres to take appropriate steps,” the Bengal CM added.
Rape and murder of female doctor at RG Kar Medical College
On 9th August, a trainee female doctor’s body was found in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata, with subsequent examinations confirming that she had been raped. Her body bore 16 external and 9 internal injuries, and there were signs of bleeding from her eyes and private parts, indicating the brutal nature of the assault.
The rape and murder case of the 31-year-old trainee female doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital has sparked nationwide protests to seek justice for the deceased victim. Hospital administration, Police, and the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee have been facing massive public ire over the initial handling of the case and the subsequent ‘transfer’ of the controversial Hospital principal, Sandip Ghosh. Both the Calcutta High Court and the Supreme Court made several scathing remarks about the developments in the case, particularly ones revolving around Sandip Ghosh.
