In the Kolkata trainee doctor rape-murder case, the Center has responded to the letters of Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi has written a letter to PM Modi, counterattacking Mamata Banerjee’s letters.
In the letter, the Women and Child Development Minister has said that 11 fast track special courts are not operational in West Bengal. These fast track courts work to deliver justice in serious rape and POCSO cases.
What did the Union Minister write in the letter?
1. This letter is written to correct the information given in your letter regarding the status of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) and Special POCSO Courts in West Bengal. According to the information received from the Calcutta High Court, West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTSC). This is not equal to the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) covered under the Central Government scheme. This is also recorded in my previous letter (25-08-2024).
2. Fast Track Courts are established and funded by the State Governments in consultation with the respective High Courts to deal with a variety of cases, such as civil cases involving senior citizens, women, children, persons with disabilities, victims affected by HIV-AIDS and other life-threatening diseases, and cases relating to land acquisition and property/rent disputes pending for more than 5 years, including heinous crimes.
3. A total of 81,141 cases were pending in the fast track courts in West Bengal as of June 30, 2024. Whereas, Fast Track Special Courts (FTSC) are exclusively dedicated to dealing with rape and POCSO Act cases.
4. Despite 48,600 rape and POCSO cases pending in West Bengal, the state has not made the additional 11 FTSCs operational. These could be special POCSO courts as per the state’s requirement or joint FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO cases. The information given in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect. It seems that the state has taken this step to hide the delay in making the FTSCs operational.
What did Mamata Banerjee write in the letter?
In her second letter, Mamata Banerjee wrote that you (PM Modi) will remember my letter written on 22 August, in which the need for making strict laws regarding the ever-increasing rape incidents was emphasized. But no reply was received from your side on this sensitive issue. However, a reply was definitely received from the Ministry of Women and Child Development. But in view of the seriousness of the matter, it is insufficient. I feel that not enough attention has been paid to the seriousness of this matter.
Source (PTI) (NDTV) (HINDUSTANTIMES)