Bengal governor CV Bose refers anti-rape Bill to President for consideration

NEW DELHI: West Bengal governor CV Anand Bose on Friday referred the anti-rape Aparajita Bill passed by the Mamata Banerjee government to President Droupadi Murmu for her consideration, an official informed.

The bill passed was by the state assembly on Tuesday and it proposes severe punishments, including the death penalty, for convicted rapists, particularly in cases where the crime leads to the victim's death or leaves them in a vegetative state.

Criminal law in India falls under the concurrent list, allowing both state and central governments to legislate on the matter. However, for the Aparajita Bill to become law, it must first receive the President's approval.

The bill introduces a faster investigation process, setting a new three-week deadline for case completion, significantly shorter than the current two-month period. However, an extension of up to 15 days may be granted under certain conditions.

It proposes the creation of a district-level "Aparajita Task Force," led by a deputy superintendent of police, dedicated to handling these serious cases with the appropriate resources and expertise to minimize trauma for victims and their families.

This came in the amid nationwide backlash to the Mamata government in her handling of the rape and murder of a post graduate trainee doctor on August 9.

BJP's Amit Malviya criticized the bill, claiming it aims to limit press freedom and distracts from the rape and murder case.

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