‘Strict Laws On Rape-Murder Already Exist,’ Centre Responds To Mamata Banerjee’s Second Letter To PM

New Delhi: Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi on Friday replied to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterating her earlier demand for strict punishment for heinous crimes such as rape and rape-murder. The WCD Minister mentioned that stringent punishments for rape/ rape with murder “already exist in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)”.

“It prescribes for a minimum of 10 years rigorous imprisonment for rape and extendable up to life imprisonment for the remainder of the natural life of the convict or with death depending upon the severity of the crime,” the Union Minister said in her letter.

“I reiterate that the enactments by the Central Government are comprehensive and stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women. Suppose the state government follows the Central legislation in letter and spirit. In that case, it will certainly have a lasting impact on strengthening the criminal justice system, bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to face the consequences commensurate with the offence and also ensuring justice for the victims or survivors,” Annapurna Devi further said.

The Union Minister concluded her letter by highlighting the “commitment of the Central Government towards eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls by taking measures to create a safe, secure ecosystem and gender equal society for them to grow and prosper”.

Notably,  sharing her second letter on microblogging site X, West Bengal CM and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee had said, “No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. However, a reply has been received from the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, which barely attends the gravity of the issue raised in my letter.”