Guv returns Aparajita bill to assembly, cites concerns over BNS amendments
Aparajita bill
to the assembly citing serious objections raised by the Centre regarding proposed changes to BNS, according to a high-ranking Raj Bhavan source.
The Centre found that the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, passed in Sept 2024, contained "excessively harsh and disproportionate" punishment provisions for rape under multiple BNS sections, sources said.
A major point of contention is an amendment to Section 64 of BNS. The bill suggests increasing the punishment for rape from the current minimum of 10 years to either imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's natural life or capital punishment.
The MHA reportedly deemed this escalation as unduly harsh and inconsistent with principles of proportionality.
You Can Also Check:
Kolkata AQI
|
Weather in Kolkata
|
Bank Holidays in Kolkata
|
Public Holidays in Kolkata
Another controversial change involves the removal of BNS Section 65, which prescribes stricter penalties for sexual assault of minors. Union govt officials believe scrapping this clause weakens protections for vulnerable groups and risks diluting the intent behind age-based classifications in rape laws.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pune: Unsold Furniture Liquidation 2024 (Prices May Surprise You)
Unsold Furniture | Search Ads
Learn More
Undo
Bengal govt on Friday said it had received no official communication from Centre nor the governor's office about these observations.
Earlier, bills similar to Aparajita, like Andhra Pradesh Disha Bill, 2019, and Maharashtra Shakti Bill, 2020 — which had a mandatory death penalty for all rape and gang-rape cases — were passed unanimously by state legislatures but did not get assent from the President.
Strongly objecting to the development, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said: "The returning of the Aparajita bill is unfortunate, deplorable and condemnable. CM Mamata Banerjee proposed it keeping in mind women's safety and dignity and proposed harsher penalties for crimes against it... CM Banerjee will surely address the issue and concerns raised by Raj Bhavan and respond appropriately. However, this incident has proved that BJP is unwilling to impose maximum punishment in these cases, as their members are implicated in molestations and rapes.
We reiterate that this is a model bill that should have been passed."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Time of India
'We have reached a deal...': Donald Trump announces US-EU trade agreement; says 'good deal for everybody' after talks with EU chief
Donald Trump trade deals (AI image) US-EU trade deal: US President Donald Trump on Sunday said that America and the European Union have 'reached a deal' on trade. "We have reached a deal. It's a good deal for everybody," Trump said. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen also hailed a 'good deal' with America, according to an AFP report. Earlier Trump had said that EU export tariffs would remain at a minimum of 15% during crucial trade discussions with the European Union's leader in Scotland. When questioned by a journalist about the possibility of reducing the tariff rate, Trump replied "No" whilst seated next to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. He additionally clarified that pharmaceutical products would be excluded from any trade agreement. Trump and Ursula von der Leyen met in Scotland for crucial discussions, seeking to resolve the prolonged transatlantic trade dispute, with negotiations reaching their final stages. Trump had maintained his stance that there was an equal probability of reaching an agreement with the European Union. The bloc had confronted a 30 percent US tariff unless a trade agreement was secured by August 1. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Struggling With Belly Fat? Try This at Home Home Fitness Hack Shop Now Undo Trump said on Sunday that "the deals all start on August 1", whilst Washington emphasised there would be "no extensions". The European Commission, under von der Leyen's leadership and representing EU member states, was working intensively to secure an agreement to preserve the trade relationship, which accounts for $1.9 trillion annually in goods and services. Speaking at the start of negotiations at Trump's upscale golf resort in Turnberry, the EU leader stated that if an agreement was reached, "I think it would be the biggest deal each of us has ever" made. The meeting between Trump and von der Leyen was held at the president's upscale golf resort situated in Turnberry along Scotland's southwestern shoreline. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Farmers protest in Manapparai over loan denials, water crisis
Trichy: Members of the Desiya Thenninthiya Nadhigal Inaippu Vivasayigal Sangam, led by P Ayyakannu, staged a protest at the Manapparai bus stand on Sunday, raising key demands related to farm distress, water scarcity, and agricultural loan policies. The protesters said cooperative banks were denying fresh crop loans on the grounds of low CIBIL scores, even to those who had repaid previous loans. They demanded exemption from CIBIL score criteria for agricultural loans and called for fresh loans to be issued within a week of repayment. Highlighting rising input costs, farmers sought an increase in crop loan limits and criticised the Centre for failing to deliver on the promise of Minimum Support Price (MSP) at twice the input cost. They also questioned why farm loans are not waived while public sector banks have written off loans in other sectors between FY16 and FY25. Their other demands included interlinking of southern rivers, water supply from Mettur or Aliyar dam to the Ponnani River and Kannoothu dam, a monthly pension of ₹5,000 for farmers, round-the-clock three-phase electricity, and installation of CCTV cameras along the national highway to curb theft. Carrying placards, the protesters urged the government to act immediately to safeguard farmers' lives and livelihoods.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Woman raped, forced to convert; 5 held
Bijnor: Five people were arrested for allegedly raping and forcibly trying to convert a 27-year-old woman in Bijnor district, police said on Sunday. The woman also alleged that "the accused were planning to sell her kidney for Rs 50 lakh. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now " In her police complaint, the survivor said she worked at a shop in an area under Nangalsoti police station. Her husband abandoned her about a year ago as he did not like her working till late in the evening, and this led to frequent quarrels between them. Taking advantage of her vulnerable situation, the shop owner offered to arrange accommodation for her at his own expense, and later exploited her sexually. Between Feb and March this year, he and his associates allegedly put pressure on her to embrace Islam. In her police complaint, the survivor said that on Feb 25, the shop owner, accompanied by his wife, brother-in-law and a few others, arrived at her residence and administered some kind of intoxicants and forcibly tried to convert her. The survivor said the main accused also took her to various hospitals in Rishikesh and Delhi, where he contacted some agents and planned to sell her kidney for Rs 50 lakh. When she resisted, she and her five-year-old son was held hostage at a house from Feb through March. She somehow managed to escape from the house in April and remained silent, as the perpetrators threatened to kill her son. On Saturday, the woman gathered the courage to approach police, following which an FIR was filed. Bijnor SP (city) Sanjeev Vajpayee said, "We have registered a case against nine people under BNS sections 64 (rape), 61(2) (criminal conspiracy), 109(1) (abetment), 115(2) (kidnapping/attempt to murder), 253 (harbouring offender), and 3(5) (related to grievous offences), as well as sections 3(1) and 5(1) of Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Act." "Charges related to illegal organ trade have also been added. Five of the accused, including the main conspirator, have been arrested. Efforts are on to nab the remaining four. A detailed investigation is underway," the SP said.
