Archive · 25 Jul 2025
Centre Objects to West Bengal's Aparajita Bill, Sends Back for Review
The government of West Bengal made a new law about punishments for rape.
But the Central government thought it was too strict.
The governor sent the law back to be looked at again.
One big problem was that the law wanted to punish rape very severely, like making the punishment life in prison or the death penalty.
Also, the Central government didn't like that a part of the law that protects young girls was going to be removed.
The Central government worried that this could lead to unfair punishments and that it might go against the rules of the constitution.
West Bengal Governor sent the Aparajita Bill back to the state for consideration due to Centre's objections.
The Centre found the bill's proposed changes to rape punishments in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) excessively harsh.
The Bill seeks to increase the punishment for rape, including life imprisonment or death penalty.
The Centre raised concerns about the proposed deletion of Section 65, which provides stricter penalties for the rape of minors.
The death penalty for rape cases where the victim dies or is in a vegetative state drew the sharpest criticism from the Centre.
- Who
- West Bengal Governor, the Centre, and the West Bengal government.
- What
- West Bengal's Aparajita Bill, proposing changes to rape punishments, faces objections.
- When
- The bill was passed in September 2024. The recent developments were reported on July 25.
- Where
- West Bengal, India.
- Why
- The Centre raised concerns about the severity of proposed penalties and other provisions in the bill, leading to its return for reconsideration.
West Bengal Government
Central Government
Severity of Penalties
West Bengal Government
Maintains no intimation from the central government regarding the bill.
Central Government
The Centre finds the proposed changes excessively harsh and disproportionate.
Protections for Minors
West Bengal Government
N/A
Central Government
The Centre expressed concerns about the removal of existing protections for minors.
- Bill Name
- Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill
- Passed By
- West Bengal Assembly
- Date Passed
- September 2024
- Referred Back By
- West Bengal Governor
- Reason for Objection
- Centre's concerns about harsh penalties
- Key Law Referenced
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)