There was a huge uproar in the West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday over the ‘Aparajita Bill 2024’. Opposition leader Shubhendu Adhikari targeted the government and asked why this bill was brought in a hurry. He said that he supports this bill but the government should implement it immediately.
As soon as Shubhendu Adhikari started his speech in the assembly, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee reached the House. Shubhendu said, “We support this bill but why are you bringing it in a hurry? If we wanted, we could have demanded to send it to the select committee but we want punishment. We will not demand voting. We will listen to the Chief Minister’s statement but the government will have to implement this bill as soon as possible.”
Shubhendu Adhikari raised the question as to why the ‘Aparajita Bill’ has been brought in a hurry. He said that the opposition will support this bill but the government will have to implement it immediately. He told Speaker Biman Bandyopadhyay that he has come with full preparation and the Speaker can check his knowledge.
Speaker Biman Bandopadhyay said that he cannot accept any document without verification. After this, Mamata Banerjee’s party minister Shobhandev Chattopadhyay also presented his point but citing lack of time, he said that he should not speak for long so that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee can get time to speak.
BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul said in her 20-minute speech that if the CBI fails to arrest the culprits, she will also launch a movement against them. Apart from this, BJP MLA Shikha Bhattacharya and other speakers also expressed their views on the bill. 45 minutes were allotted for Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
What are the proposals in ‘Aparajita Bill 2024’?
1. Section 64 of the Indian Penal Code provides for a minimum of 10 years imprisonment, which may extend to life, and a fine for rape. But the state’s amendment bill makes rape punishable with life imprisonment or even death penalty.
2. The fine amount will be used for the treatment and rehabilitation of the victim. This amount must be paid within the time prescribed by the special court.
3. The ‘Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Law Amendment) Bill 2024’ proposes to remove Section 65 of the Indian Penal Code and also talks about changes in other sections.
4. It is proposed to add a new section in the Indian Civil Defence Code 2023, which talks about setting up a ‘Special Court’.
5. These cases will be heard by the Sessions Judge or Additional Sessions Judge of the State.
6. An ‘Aparajita Task Force’ will be formed in every district, headed by a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
7. Rape cases will be investigated by women officers and anyone deliberately delaying the investigation will face imprisonment up to 6 months and a fine.
8. There is a provision to conclude the investigation within 21 days of filing the FIR and to conclude the hearing within 30 days of filing the charge sheet.
There will be further discussion on this bill in the Assembly, in which leaders of different parties will give their opinions and discuss the provisions of the bill.