West Bengal Governor CV Anand Bose has forwarded the ‘Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024’ to President Droupadi Murmu for approval after it passed in the state assembly. This anti-rape legislation was introduced in response to the shocking rape and murder of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. The case triggered widespread outrage across India, sparking protests demanding swift justice.
The bill proposes capital punishment for convicted rapists whose crimes result in the victim’s death or leave her in a vegetative state.
Protesters and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have been calling for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of mishandling the case. Banerjee’s party, the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has faced allegations of attempting to cover up the incident after the victim’s parents alleged that Kolkata police offered them bribes to remain silent.
In response, the TMC released a video showing the victim’s father denying the bribery claim. However, the victim’s family argued that the statement was forcibly recorded after the rushed cremation of their daughter.
West Bengal Education Minister Bratya Basu stated that although the Kolkata Police handed over all relevant documents to the CBI, the case has seen little progress.
Meanwhile, a CBI lawyer faced criticism from a Sealdah court for delaying the hearing on the bail application of Sanjay Roy by 50 minutes.
Ahead of the crime’s one-month anniversary, thousands of women are set to participate in the third ‘Reclaim the Night’ protest in Kolkata on September 8, calling for justice and greater safety for women. The Supreme Court took suo moto cognizance of the case and is scheduled for its next hearing on September 9.
