'Factually Incorrect, Appears To Be A Step In Direction To Cover Up Delays': Centre Responds To Mamata's Second Letter To PM Modi

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi has responded to Mamata Banerjee's letter, seeking tougher laws and exemplary punishments for heinous crimes such as rape and murder.

Banerjee, in her second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasised the need for a mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of rape and murder cases.

She also sought a stringent central legislation on rape and murder cases.

Her letters to the Prime Minister come amid a CBI probe into the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College.

In her response to Banerjee, Minister Annapurna Devi stated, "With regard to the information contained in your letter about the status of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and exclusive POCSO courts in West Bengal, I may mention that according to information received from the Calcutta High Court, West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) covered under the Central Government Scheme...".

She further added, "... In spite of the pending 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the state has not operationalized an additional 11 FTSCs, which may be exclusive POCSO courts or combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO cases, as per the state's requirement. As may be seen, the information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction to cover up the delays in operationalizing the FTSCs by the state," NDTV reported.

On Banerjee's demand for permanent judicial officers in FTSCs, instead of only retired judicial officers as prescribed in the FTSC scheme guidelines, the Women and Child Development Minister clarified, "... I may inform you that the scheme guidelines clearly provide for one judicial officer and seven staff to work exclusively for the disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases. Hence, additional charge of FTSCs cannot be given to any permanent judicial officer or court staff. This position was clarified earlier to the state of West Bengal..."

Meanwhile, BJP's co-incharge for West Bengal, Amit Malviya, also criticised Banerjee, accusing her of insufficient action in implementing existing regulations for the protection of women and girls.

"It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why the West Bengal government hasn't done anything for implementing the stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girls. Stop writing letters. Answer the questions. You are accountable," Malviya wrote on X.

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