'Excessively harsh': Bengal governor sends back Aparajita Bill after Centre objects death penalty clause
The Centre, in its observation, found that the Aparajita Women and Child (West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment) Bill, passed in the assembly in September 2024, seeks changes in punishment for rape under multiple sections of the BNS that are "excessively harsh and disproportionate," the source said.
The state government, however, maintained it has no intimation so far from the central government or the governor's office regarding their "observations" on certain provisions in the Bill.
The Bill proposes enhancement of punishment for rape from the existing minimum of 10 years under the BNS to life imprisonment for the remainder of one's life or death.
"The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has flagged multiple provisions in the Bill as problematic. After taking note of the MHA observation, the Governor has referred those for appropriate consideration to the state government," the source told PTI.
"The Centre has described the proposal of amendment to Section 64 of the BNS to increase the punishment for rape from a minimum of 10 years to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convict's life or the death penalty as excessively harsh and disproportionate," he said, referring to the MHA's observation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
35 minutes ago
- Time of India
Uttarakhand's development begins with precision on paper.
No Pak Hand in Pahalgam? Chidambaram Remarks Trigger Political Face-off Between Centre, Opposition Parliament is bracing for a political explosion over the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor. As the Lok Sabha holds a special discussion on Operation Sindoor, the Opposition and ruling BJP are locked in a fierce showdown. Former Home Minister P Chidambaram's explosive remark "No proof Pakistan was involved" has triggered national outrage. The BJP says the Opposition is echoing Pakistan. Samajwadi Party's Akhilesh Yadav says terrorists are vanishing under BJP's watch. Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi demands truth from the government. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi says India needs no more 'proof', we've lived the pain of Pakistani terror. The nation watches as politics, security, and sovereignty collide in Parliament.#operationsindoor #pahalgamattack #parliamentdebate #chidambaram #bjpvscongress #rahulgandhi #pmmodi #nationalsecurity #terrorism #pok #akhileshyadav #gauravgogoi #priyankachaturvedi #kirenrijiju #nishikantdubey #anuragthakur #indianarmy #pakistanterror #parliamentshowdown #indiafirst #toi #toibharat #bharat #trending #breakingnews #indianews 2.4K views | 3 hours ago
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Gurgaon environmentalist moves NGT over alleged encroachment, illegal constructions by temple trust in Sector 54
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Monday sought the response of the Centre, the Haryana government, the State pollution control board, and a temple trust in connection with alleged environmental violations in the Aravallis at Sector 54 in Gurgaon. The matter, which will next be heard on October 29, deals with alleged illegal constructions and encroachment by the Kholi-waale Baba Temple Trust at Haiderpur Viran, behind Suncity. The applicant, Vaishali Rana, Trustee, Aravallis Bachao, moved the Principal Bench of the NGT at New Delhi claiming that the encroachments not only threaten fragile ecological zones but also contravene legal mandates restricting any non-forest activities on notified forest land. She has sought the removal of encroachments attributed to the temple trust, restoration of the demarcated forest area to its original state, and a direction to the relevant authorities to ensure that no further encroachment or construction is permitted at the site. The petition also asks for directions for periodic monitoring and enforcement to prevent recurrence. 'The illegal constructions, borewells, road laying, and concretisation of natural features within the Aravalli forest area are in blatant violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Punjab Land Preservation Act, 1900 … encroachment on Protected Forest Land like expansion of the temple complex, cemented parking, metal sheds, and reconstruction of the road amount to illegal encroachment on protected forest land, which is impermissible under applicable forest and land preservation statutes,' the petitioner pointed out. The destruction of natural drainage and groundwater recharge systems due to the complete concretisation of a natural stormwater creek has also been flagged. Further, the petitioner has sought that the approximately 250-300 cattle, currently housed in the allegedly illegally constructed gaushala (cowshed) within the forest area by the Temple Trust, be safely relocated and rehabilitated to a lawful and appropriate facility. In an earlier petition filed before the NGT, Rana had highlighted the disappearance of ponds and water bodies at the Gwal Pahari and Badshahpur tehsils of Gurgaon.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Not Rafale Or F-35, Indian Army Wanted This Air Defence System For Rs 1.12 Lakh Crore
Last Updated: India is investing Rs 1.12 lakh crore in the QRSAM system, known as the "Baby S-400," developed by DRDO to counter drones and low-flying threats, enhancing air defence. The push to turn India into an air-tight fortress is gaining momentum. After the high-stakes Operation Sindoor, the Centre has accelerated military modernisation with a mega project valued at over Rs 3 lakh crore. Among the headline approvals is a Rs 1.12 lakh crore push to bolster India's air defence capabilities with the indigenous Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system. Here's what's changing on the ground. The Ministry of Defence has just greenlit military procurement proposals exceeding Rs 1 lakh crore. These include 12 Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMVs) worth Rs 44,000 crore, but the big-ticket item is the Rs 36,000 crore allocated for six regiments of QRSAMs. Out of these, three regiments will be delivered to the Army and Air Force. The QRSAM isn't just any system. It's being called the 'Baby S-400", a nod to its smaller size but strategic importance. Developed by the DRDO, this air defence system can neutralise enemy aircraft, drones, and missiles within a 30 km radius. While that range may seem modest compared to the 400 km reach of the Russian-origin S-400 and the 100–200 km envelope of the Akash system, QRSAM's quick reaction time and battlefield mobility give it a distinct tactical edge. That's where QRSAM steps in. During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan, rattled by India's precision strikes, launched a barrage of drones, reportedly with Chinese and Turkish support. Hundreds were detected. India's Akash systems held the line. Still, experts say the absence of a mobile, quick-launch system like QRSAM was felt sharply. Now, with six regiments approved, the game is shifting. But it's not enough. According to defence officials, the Indian Army had originally asked for 11 QRSAM regiments. The Air Force reportedly had a similar requirement. Meeting both demands would require 22 regiments in total, pegged at a cost of roughly Rs 1.12 lakh crore. That's how the number came into play. Each QRSAM regiment costs about Rs 6,000 crore. While six have been cleared, that leaves a shortfall, one that defence planners say could prove critical if not addressed. Why does it matter? Because India's adversaries, especially China and Pakistan, are investing heavily in stealth drones, cruise missiles, and electronic warfare capabilities. The battlefield is shifting toward high-speed, low-visibility threats. QRSAM fills the gap between long-range missile shields like S-400 and medium-range options like Akash. If fully deployed, QRSAM would add another layer to India's multi-tier air defence strategy, creating a net that could detect and destroy nearly anything from UAVs to 5th-generation fighter jets. This isn't just about defence. It's about deterrence. With three regiments apiece going to the Army and Air Force, the system is finally getting into deployment phase. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
