Didi: Centre Delaying Aparajita Bill

Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the Centre of ignoring her government's legislation, Aparajita Bill, passed in the state Assembly for stronger punishment into cases of violence against women in wake of the rape and murder of an-duty female doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital.

Ms Banerjee said at an administrative meeting in Malda, “We passed the bill in the assembly for death penalty in rape cases. But the bill is still pending as the Central government is not looking into it. We want this bill to become a model and be implemented across the country.”

She once again voiced her strong dissatisfaction with the Sealdah Court's verdict in the case of R G Kar doctor's rape and murder. “We had called for capital punishment. If someone is a monster, how can society show humanity? Society must be made humane towards our mothers and sisters,” the CM observed.

She also questioned the purpose and effect of life sentences. Ms Banerjee wondered, “What does life sentence mean? In many cases, culprits are released on parole even after committing heinous crimes in two or three years. I am truly shocked by the judgment in the RG Kar case. I too have studied the law and understand it.”

She added, “I did not like the judgment that said ‘it is not the rarest of rare’ cases. I feel it is really the rarest of rare, sensitive and heinous crimes. If a criminal is released or not punished, he may commit an offence again.”