Union Women and Child Development Minister Annpurna Devi responded on Friday to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which reiterated her demand for stricter punishment for heinous crimes such as rape and rape-murder. The Union Minister highlighted that stringent punishments for such crimes are already prescribed in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Annpurna Devi stated in her letter that the BNS provides for a minimum of 10 years of rigorous imprisonment for rape, which can be extended to life imprisonment for the remainder of the convict’s natural life, or even death, depending on the severity of the crime.
“I reiterate that the enactments by the Central Government are comprehensive and stringent enough to tackle violence and crimes against women. If the state government adheres to the Central legislation in both letter and spirit, it will have a significant impact on strengthening the criminal justice system, ensuring that perpetrators face appropriate consequences, and providing justice for victims or survivors,” Annpurna Devi added.
The Union Minister concluded her letter by emphasizing the Central Government’s commitment to eliminating all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls. She highlighted the government’s efforts to create a safe, secure, and gender-equal environment for their growth and prosperity.
In her second letter shared on the microblogging site X, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee noted, “No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. This indicates a lack of seriousness towards addressing the concerns raised regarding the protection and rights of women.”
