बंगाल गवर्नर बोले- अपराजिता बिल ममता के कारण अटका: राज्य सरकार ने बिल के साथ टेक्निकल रिपोर्ट नहीं भेजी, मंजूरी देने में देरी होगी

According to the governor, such a bill has already been passed in Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. (File)

West Bengal Governor Anand Bose said- Aparajita Bill is pending because of Mamata government. Mamata government has not sent the technical report with the bill. Without this report, the bill cannot be approved.

In a statement issued by the Raj Bhavan on Thursday, September 5, it was said that Governor Bose is angry with this attitude of the Mamata government. The Mamata government did not do any homework regarding this important bill related to the safety of women.

The state government has been doing this earlier as well. The technical report of many bills passed by the assembly is not sent to the Raj Bhavan. Due to this the bills become pending, for which the Mamata government blames the Raj Bhavan.

In fact, after the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Hospital on August 9, questions were being raised on the state government regarding women’s safety. The Mamata government introduced the anti-rape bill in the West Bengal Assembly on September 3.

Under this, the police will have to complete the investigation of the rape case within 21 days. After being passed by the assembly, the bill has been sent to the Governor. After being passed from here, the bill will be sent to the President, where after getting the approval from there, it can be converted into a law.

Governor said- Aparajita bill is a copy paste of Andhra-Maharashtra bill
The governor described the Aparajita bill as a copy-paste of the bills of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Arunachal Pradesh. According to the governor, such bills are already pending with the president. The Mamata government is participating in protests only to deceive the people of the state, because it also knows that such bills are pending with the president.

On September 4, Bose supported the ongoing protests against the rape-murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. He paid tribute by lighting a candle.

Governor blocks 9 bills

10 questions and answers related to the bill…

1. What is the name of the bill and its purpose?
answer: The Bengal government has named the bill as Aparajita Women and Child Bill 2024. Its purpose is to increase the safety of women and children in cases of rape and sexual abuse by amending the West Bengal Criminal Law and Amendment Bill.

2. When will the culprit be hanged?
answer: If the victim dies after rape or goes into coma, then in this situation the culprit should be given death penalty.

3. If the rapist is given life imprisonment, what will be the jail term?
answer: The bill states that the person convicted of rape or gang rape should be given life imprisonment. He should be kept in jail for the rest of his life. He should not be given parole during this period. Under the current law, the minimum punishment for life imprisonment is 14 years. After being sentenced to life imprisonment, the sentence can be pardoned, parole can be granted. The sentence can also be reduced, but one will have to spend 14 years in jail.

4. Which sections have been changed in the bill?
answer: The draft bill proposes changes in sections 64, 66, 70 (1), 71, 72 (1), 73, 124 (1) and 124 (2) of the Indian Penal Code. These mainly include punishment for rape, rape and murder, gang rape, continuous crime, disclosure of identity of victim, acid attack cases. It proposes to remove sections 65 (1), 65 (2) and 70 (2), which punish those convicted under the age of 12, 16 and 18 years.

5. What is there in the bill on investigation of rape-murder and gangrape?
answer: According to the draft bill, investigation in rape cases should be completed within 21 days. This investigation can be extended by 15 days, but this will be done only by the Superintendent of Police and officers of equivalent rank, before this they will have to give the reason for this in writing in the case diary.

6. Is there any provision for habitual offenders?
answer: There is a provision of life imprisonment for such criminals in the bill. In this, the culprit will have to remain in jail till he completes his life. Along with this, a fine will also be imposed.

7. Will a special team be formed for rape and murder cases?
answer: According to the draft bill, there is a proposal to form a special task force at the district level, which will be named Aparajita Task Force. It will be headed by DSP. This task force will be responsible for investigating cases under the new provisions.

8. What changes are proposed to ensure that victims get justice quickly?
answer: The bill states that special courts and special investigation teams will be formed. They will be provided with necessary resources and experts who will look into cases related to rape and sexual abuse of children. Their job will be to conduct speedy investigation, provide speedy justice and reduce the trauma suffered by the victim.

9. Any new rule for media reporting of rape cases?
answer: Yes, permission has to be taken before printing or publishing the court proceedings. If this is not done, there is a provision of 3 to 5 years of imprisonment along with fine.

10. Why will the bill be sent to the President after the Governor for approval?
answer: Criminal law comes under the Concurrent List, so it will require the approval of the Governor and then the President. The Concurrent List given in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India includes those subjects on which both the Central and State Governments have authority. Both the Central and State Governments can make laws on the subjects included in the Concurrent List, but if there is a conflict between the laws of both, then the law of the Central Government will be considered supreme. A total of 52 subjects are included in the Concurrent List.