President Draupadi Murmu has sent back Aparajita Bill to West Bengal governor, CV Anand Bose. The Bill has been returned with some “observations”.
The Centre has serious observations over the proposed changes in Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita that this proposed legislation seeks. The Bill will now be sent to West Bengal Legislative Assembly.
Thereafter, it will be sent to Nabanna, the state secretariat for its opinion. The Centre has made pointed observations to some of the sections of the Aparajita Bill, it was learnt.
The Aparajita Women and Child Bill was passed in West Bengal Legislative Assembly on 3 September, 2024. It had sought some changes in multiple sections of the BNS for rape that “are excessively hurt and disproportionate.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs has flagged multiple sections of the Bill as problematic, it was learnt. After taking note of the MHA observations, the Governor has referred those for appropriate consideration of the state government.
The Aparajita Bill was passed unanimously by voice vote. Both ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition BJP legislature had supported it.
The Bill proposes enhancement of punishment for rape. While the punishment for rape under BNS is 10 years, the Bill proposes imprisonment for life or death.
West Bengal has been rocked over two successive incidents of rape. Incidentally both happened in the heart of Kolkata
A woman doctor was taped and murdered in RG Kar hospital in the heart of the city. Sanjay Rai, a civic v volunteer was convicted for it though it left the parents of the deceased unsatisfied.
A student of a law college in the city was raped by an employee of the college. Being a Trinamool Congress leader who is an enrolled lawyer in Alipore court left Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool government red faced.
