The case of rape and then murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has filled people with anger. People have been protesting on the streets for several days regarding this. At the same time, the pressure on the Mamata Banerjee government has also increased due to the CBI investigation of the case.
But now the West Bengal government has given a message by introducing the ‘Aparajita Bill’ in the assembly that it is in no mood to release rapists. In fact, the Aparajita Bill makes the punishment given in cases of rape and child sexual abuse in the Indian Penal Code even more stringent.
Let us tell you about it in detail. Along with this, we will also tell you which are the five types of rape mentioned in the Indian Judicial Code (BNS).
Five types of rape and the punishment given for them
BNS section 64(1)- This section is used in rape cases. It provides for a rigorous punishment of 10 years along with a fine. Apart from this, there is also a provision for life imprisonment under this section depending on the severity of the crime.
BN Section 64(2)- This section is imposed when the accused of rape is a policeman or a government employee. Under this section too, there is a provision of rigorous punishment of 10 years which can be extended to life imprisonment and fine.
BNS Section 66- This section is used when the victim dies or her condition becomes serious during the rape. In such cases, the accused is given a rigorous punishment of 20 years which can be extended to life imprisonment and a fine. Apart from this, in such cases, the accused can also be sentenced to death depending on the severity of the crime.
BNS section 70(1)- This section is used in cases of gang rape. Under this, the accused is given a rigorous punishment of 20 years, which can be extended to life imprisonment and a fine.
BNS section 70(2)- This section is used in cases where the culprit has raped the victim multiple times. In such cases, there is a provision for life imprisonment or death penalty for the accused.
How does the ‘Aparajita Bill’ increase punishment
The ‘Aparajita Bill’ passed by the Mamata Banerjee government in West Bengal Assembly makes the punishment in all the sections mentioned above more stringent. For example, in cases registered under BNS 64(1), according to the ‘Aparajita Bill’, the accused will be sentenced to life imprisonment with rigorous imprisonment or death penalty.
Similarly, in cases registered under BNS 64(2), the accused will be sentenced to life imprisonment with rigorous imprisonment and fine or death penalty. Similarly, in cases registered under BNS 66, according to the ‘Aparajita Bill’, the accused will only be sentenced to death. Whereas, in cases registered under BNS 70(1) and BNS 70(2), according to the ‘Aparajita Bill’, the accused will be sentenced to life imprisonment with rigorous imprisonment or death penalty. However, the ‘Aparajita Bill’ will take the form of law only when it is signed by the President.