New Delhi, August 31: The Union Minister for Women and Child Development has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter, asking for a strict law and exemplary punishment on horrible crimes like rape and murder.
In her second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Ms. Banerjee requested a requirement for the prompt resolution of rape and murder cases. The two letters were sent during the course of the CBI’s probe into the rape and killing of a junior physician at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Regarding her letters, the BJP had branded Mamata Banerjee a “liar” and asked why she had done nothing to guarantee the “tough” laws and standards that were already in place to safeguard women in her state.
“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…” Minister of Union for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi responded to Ms. Banerjee as follows.
Even though there are 48,600 rape and POCSO cases pending in West Bengal, the state has not operationalized an additional 11 FTSCs, which might be dedicated POCSO courts or combined FTSCs handling both POCSO and rape cases, depending on what the state needs.
The Bengal Chief Minister has also come under fire from Amit Malviya, Co-leader of the BJP in West Bengal, for not doing enough to guarantee that laws and policies protecting women and girls are properly adhered to.
“It is obligatory on Mamata Banerjee to explain why the West Bengal government hasn’t done anything for implementing the strict laws and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girls,” Mr. Malviya said in an article on X. “Abandon letter writing. Respond to the inquiries. You have responsibility,” he said.
“I may inform you that the scheme guidelines clearly provide for one judicial officer and seven staff to work exclusively for disposal of Rape and POCSO Act cases,” the Women and Child Development Minister said in response to Ms. Banerjee’s demand for permanent judicial officers in FTSCs rather than only retired judicial officers as prescribed in the FTSC scheme guidelines. Therefore, no permanent judge or court employee may be assigned an additional FTSC charge. The state of West Bengal received clarification on this position previously.
In response to the rape and killing of the young physician at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, medical professionals around the country have demanded significant changes that would guarantee security and dignity at their workplace.
According to the Trinamool Congress, the incident has been politicized by the BJP. However, the BJP has retaliated against Ms. Banerjee’s party by claiming that the medical institution had a history with hidden corruption.
Sandip Ghosh, the former principal of the college, is being investigated. In addition, the primary suspect, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer who was seen on cctv outside the hospital seminar room where the junior doctor’s death was discovered, has been taken into custody by the CBI.
READ: Heartbreaking conversation between victims’ parents and hospital management surfaced online
