West Bengal government introduces anti-rape bill in state assembly, proposes death penalty in serious cases | News from India

West Bengal Law Minister Moloy Ghatak introduced the anti-rape bill during a special session of the state assembly on Tuesday. The discussion on the bill is expected to last about two hours and will include contributions from BJP MPs Sikha Chatterjee and Agnimitra Paul and opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari. The government side will be represented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sobhandeb Chattopadhyay and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The bill provides for the death penalty for rape if the act results in the death of the victim or puts her in a permanent vegetative state. In addition, the bill provides for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for rape and gang rape.

This bill, titled ‘Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024’, aims to improve the protection of women and children by updating and adding new provisions on rape and sexual offences.

In response to the recent incident involving the rape and murder of a doctor at the state-run Kar Medical College and Hospital last month, the Assembly met for a two-day special session starting Monday.