'No one talks about Unnao, Hathras...': Mamata on Kolkata rape-murder
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has responded to the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) criticism of her handling of the Kolkata doctor rape-murder case by citing similar incidents in Unnao and Hathras. "No one talks about what happened in Unnao, the victim of Hathras did not get justice," she said during a state assembly session. These remarks were made as her government introduced a new anti-rape bill in West Bengal, aimed at imposing stricter punishments for such crimes.
Banerjee criticizes central government's decision on BNS
Banerjee also criticized the central government's decision to pass the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) without consulting her state. She said that the new law will address "loopholes" in existing legislation. The chief minister expressed her condolences to the victim and her family, recounting the timeline of events at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. "We want justice from the CBI. The CBI should hang the criminal," she said.
Banerjee highlights West Bengal's judicial efficiency
Banerjee also pointed out that West Bengal ranks third in the country for the number of fast-track courts. She recalled the Kamdhuni case, where her government had sought capital punishment, only for the Supreme Court to reverse the high court's ruling. "To implement the bill, ask the governor to sign it. Our state is in 3rd position in matter of fast-track court," she added.
New anti-rape bill passed in West Bengal
The new anti-rape bill, formally named the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) Bill 2024,' was introduced by West Bengal law minister Moloy Ghatak. It was passed during a special session of the Assembly. The bill proposes capital punishment for those convicted of rape resulting in the victim's death or leaving her in a vegetative state, and mandates life imprisonment without parole for those convicted of rape and gang rape.
Banerjee defends state's police force
In her defense of the state's police force, Banerjee pointed to unsolved instances of assault on women in other states. She referred to the rape of a 20-year-old Dalit woman in Uttar Pradesh's Hathras in 2020 and the rape and slaughter of a college student in Bengal's North 24 Parganas in 2013. She claimed that there are "abnormally high crime rates against women in states...and there is no justice there but in Bengal women will get justice in courts."
