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The West Bengal Governor C.V. Ananda Bose reserved the Aparajita Women and Child, West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2024 to the President of India Droupadi Murmu for consideration on September 06, 2024.

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The State Government reportedly sought a technical report, before referring the Bill to the President.

As per the Raj Bhavan’s statement on X (formerly Twitter), the ‘Governor has pointed out the omissions and commission in the hurriedly passed Bill. He warned the government. Do not act in haste and repent at leisure’

THE STATEMENT AND OBJECT OF THE BILL STATES:

‘To amend the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, BNS, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, BNSS, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences, Act, 2012, POSCO, in their application to the State of West Bengal to enhance punishment and to constitute the framework for, inter alia, expeditious investigation and trial of the heinous act of violence against women and children.

On September 06, 2024, the West Bengal Legislative Assembly passed the bill unanimously with a voice vote, with the opposition fully supporting it.

The legislation was being tabled by the State’s Law Minister Moloy Ghatak in the backdrop of the uproar and protest in the alleged rape and murder of a doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, in Kolkata the suo moto cognisance of which was subsequently taken by the Supreme Court.

ABOUT THE BILL 2024

The Bill proposes introducing imprisonment of life, which includes simple or rigorous imprisonment.

The section 64(1)(b) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, BNS states the punishment for rape, the minimum punishment would be rigorous imprisonment for life and the maximum would be death punishment.

A proviso is proposed to be introduced to Section 64(1) which states that a fine which is being imposed shall be fair and reasonable to meet the medical expenses and rehabilitation of the victim’.