West Bengal government tables anti-rape Bill in Assembly

The proposed legislation seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim's death or leave her in a vegetative state

Kolkata: West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak on Tuesday introduced the anti-rape Bill at a special session of the state Assembly. Discussion on the Bill is expected to take place for around two hours in which BJP MLAs Sikha Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul are scheduled to speak beside the Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be the speakers for the government. The proposed legislation seeks capital punishment for persons convicted of rape if their actions result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state.

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Additionally, it stipulates a life sentence without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape. Titled the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,’ the legislation aims to strengthen protections for women and children by revising and introducing new provisions related to rape and sexual offences.

A two-day special session of the Assembly has been summoned on Monday in the wake of the rape-murder of a woman medic at the state-run Kar Medical College and Hospital last month.