Nagpur: The Maharashtra Government is set to reintroduce a more powerful and legally fortified version of the Shakti Law, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced in the Assembly on the second day of the Winter Session on Tuesday. Speaking during Question Hour, the CM confirmed that the Shakti (Maharashtra Criminal Law Amendment) Bill, 2020, which was passed in 2021, had been returned by the President for review in the wake of newly implemented national criminal laws.
Fadnavis said the government is seeking comprehensive legal opinion and scrutinising all provisions to make the legislation even more stringent before it is presented again. “The Shakti Law will be brought soon. Along with it, three more strong legislations for women’s safety will also be introduced,” he assured.
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Inspired by Andhra Pradesh’s Disha Act, the Shakti Bill earlier proposed death penalty for rape, enhanced punishment for severe crimes including acid attacks, and new legal provisions for cyber harassment. It also envisaged fast-track justice — case detection within 15 days, trial within 30 days and disposal of appeals within 45 days, backed by special courts, specialised police squads, and advanced surveillance.
The discussion came to the fore during a debate on the Beed suicide case, which has shocked the state and intensified political questioning. The CM informed that the SIT led by a woman IPS officer has completed its probe, and a judicial inquiry has been ordered to ensure every angle is examined thoroughly.
Calling the incident tragic and deeply disturbing, Fadnavis said: “Accused Gopal Badne and Prashant Bankar have been arrested. Forensic and digital evidence confirm that the handwriting found on the victim’s hand was hers.”
He further stated that the victim was pressured into issuing an unfit-for-duty certificate, assigned duty alone on targeted days, and sexually exploited after being lured with false promises of marriage. CCTV footage from the hotel where the incident occurred has been recovered, he added. A chargesheet will be filed soon.
Opposition leaders Nana Patole, Vijay Wadettiwar, Jyoti Gaikwad, Amit Satam, Sunil Prabhu and others demanded clarity on unanswered questions. Wadettiwar alleged that making her work alone repeatedly had “created fear and terror” among staff.
Responding to NCP MLA Prakash Solanki’s demand for a government job for the victim’s family, Fadnavis clarified that she was employed on an 11-month contractual basis, rendering her ineligible under compassionate appointment rules, but assured that help will be provided on humanitarian grounds.
With the State gearing up for a landmark legal overhaul, expectations are now high that the revived Shakti Law will emerge as a decisive weapon against crimes targeting women, and that justice in the Beed case will be swift and uncompromising.
