Bengal Governor Pushes Anti-Rape Bill To President’s Desk For Approval

West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose has forwarded the anti-rape bill, passed by the state Assembly earlier this week, to Presidentroupadi Murmu for her review. This decision came after Bose received a technical report on the legislation. However, he highlighted significant "defects and lapses" in the bill and criticised the state government, according to a statement from Raj Bhavan.

The Aparajita Woman and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024 was unanimously passed in the Assembly on September 3. This legislative move followed nationwide outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Governor's Criticism of State Government

In a statement posted on X, Raj Bhavan expressed dissatisfaction with the Assembly secretariat for not providing the text of debates and their translation as required by rules. The Governor also took issue with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's threats of staging a dharna outside Raj Bhavan if he did not assent to the bill.

Bose accused Banerjee's government of failing to send the technical report along with a copy of the bill that proposes capital punishment for rapists. He warned against hasty actions, stating, "Don't act in haste and repent at leisure," as per Friday's Raj Bhavan statement.

Details of the Trainee Doctor's Case

The semi-nude body of a 31-year-old trainee doctor was discovered on August 9 in the seminar hall of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. An autopsy confirmed she had been raped and murdered. Sanjoy Roy, a civil volunteer with Kolkata Police, was arrested the next day and is currently in judicial custody. The Calcutta High Court has directed the CBI to take over the case from Kolkata Police.

The Governor emphasised that people demand justice for the trainee doctor within existing legal frameworks. "The government should act effectively; people should get justice," he said. He added that it is crucial for the government to address these issues properly instead of resorting to knee-jerk responses.

Governor's Call for Justice

Bose pointed out numerous flaws in the hastily passed bill, urging the state government to do their homework before proceeding further. He stressed that justice should be delivered promptly within existing laws, highlighting that it is essential for comforting bereaved families.

"The Governor said that people cannot wait till the bill is implemented. They want justice and justice should be given to them within the framework of existing law," stated Raj Bhavan. "It is the government's duty to wipe the tears of the bereaved mother who lost her dear daughter."