West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has sent another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressing concern over the lack of response to her earlier communication regarding the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor. Banerjee stressed the seriousness of the situation and called for immediate central intervention, criticising the insufficient reply received from the Union Minister of Women and Child Development in her letter that she wrote to PM Modi.
In the letter that she posted on her social media handle, X, stated "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 (vide their No. 1/RESC/HMWCD/2024 dated 25th August 2024), which barely addresses the gravity of the issue raised in my letter. I am of the view that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to society have not been adequately appreciated in this generic reply."
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Addressing the Union Minister Annapurna Devi's allegations that the state government failed to implement essential safety measures for women and children, including Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), Banerjee said that 10 exclusive POCSO FTSCs have been approved, along with 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO-designated courts that are fully funded by the state.
The letter further mentioned, "Regarding Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), 10 exclusive POCSO Courts have been approved by the State Government. In addition to this, 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO-designated Courts are functioning throughout the State with complete State funding. Monitoring and disposal of cases are entirely in the hands of the Courts."
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She also highlighted the issue of appointing Presiding Officers in Fast Track Courts, which requires intervention from the Government of India and, according to her, it needs the intervention of PM Modi. "As per Central Government guidelines, only retired Judicial Officers can be posted as Presiding Officers in FTSCs, but the Hon'ble High Court has observed that, in view of the severity of the cases, permanent Judicial Officers need to be appointed. This requires examination at the level of the Government of India and appropriate action thereafter, for which your intervention would be necessary."
"Moreover, Helpline Nos. 112 and 1098 are functioning satisfactorily in the State. Additionally, Dial 100 is also extensively used in emergency situations," the letter added in response to the charge that central helpline numbers were not operational in Bengal.
Banerjee called for central legislation and strict punishment for heinous crimes and hoped for quick attention from PM Modi. "I would reiterate and earnestly request that a stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder be considered, with a mandatory provision for the disposal of cases within a specific timeframe by the trial authorities. I hope this matter would receive very considered attention at your kind end in the interest of our society at large," she stated in the letter.
Union Women and Child Development Minister, Annapurna Devi, lashed out at the West Bengal government on August 26 for its failure to implement required safety measures for women and children in the state.
She mentioned that 123 FTSCs were allocated to the state, but none were operational. Earlier, on August 22, Banerjee had written to PM Modi, urging the establishment of fast-track courts for handling "sensitive" issues to ensure speedy trials, following the death of a trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9. She also suggested the setting up of "fast-track special courts" to deal with such cases, which require a speedy trial.