Bill passed in West Bengal making rape a death penalty

Thousands of people have protested in various parts of India over the rape and murder of a doctor at the RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata. In such a situation, a bill presented in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly with the provision of maximum punishment for rape was passed unanimously on Tuesday.

Opposition parties in the state also supported the bill titled Aparajita Women and Children (West Bengal Criminal Law and Amendment) Bill-2024 in the Assembly. The bill provides for life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape.

According to the country's media, amendments and new clauses have been added to the law to strengthen the protection of women and children.

Earlier, Law Minister Malay Ghatak presented the Women and Children Bill in the Assembly. Later, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and Leader of Opposition Subvendu Adhikari participated in the discussion on the bill in the Assembly.

At that time Mamata said, this bill is a history! The Prime Minister could not. we could I showed Shame on the Prime Minister! He could not protect the girls. I demand the resignation of the Home Minister.

The bill, which was unanimously passed by the Assembly, will now be sent to Governor CV Anand Bose for assent. If he gives his assent to the bill, it will be sent to the President of India, Draupadi Murmu. It will become a law if given by the President.

Apprentice doctor Moumita Debnath was murdered after being raped at RG Kar Medical College Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. Various regions of the country, including West Bengal, became agitated around this murder. The protesters have even demanded the resignation of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

After the bill was passed, Mamata Banerjee said the anti-rape bill aims to ensure speedy investigation and prosecution. State opposition BJP leader Subvendu Adhikari said action should be taken against Trinamool Congress, the ruling political party in West Bengal, in the entire case of Moumita's rape and murder.

A senior leader of the Trinamool Congress student body was present during the Calcutta police investigation in the RG Kar Medical room in the Moumita murder and rape case. He was expelled from the party after it was alleged that the Trinamool student union leader was present there to divert the case.