Union Minister Annapurna Devi claimed that the information contained in the Bengal chief minister’s letter was “factually incorrect” and suggested that it aims to “cover up delays” in the operationalization of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in the state.
In response to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s second letter, seeking a stringent law and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes such as rape and murder, Union Minister Annapurna Devi asserted that existing laws were stringent enough to tackle violence and crimes against women and urged the West Bengal government to implement the same in “letter and spirit”.
Banerjee on Friday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reiterating her request for stringent central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape and murder. She, who wrote to Modi a few days ago on the issue following nationwide uproar over the rape and murder of a doctor at the R G Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9, sought mandatory provision for time-bound disposal of cases of rape/rape and murder.
In a letter to Mamata Banerjee, the second in a week, Union Minister Annapurna Devi claimed that the information contained in the Bengal chief minister’s letter was “factually incorrect” and suggested that it aims to “cover up delays” in the operationalization of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) in the state. She further added that 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.
“In spite of the pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the State has not operationalised 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,” the Union Minister said in the letter to Banerjee.
“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 operationalising the FTSCs by the state,” Devi said.
Concerning Banerjee’s observation on the need to post permanent judicial officers in FTSCs, the Union minister said 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, an additional charge of FTSCs cannot be given to any permanent judicial officer or court staff. This position was clarified earlier to the West Bengal,” Devi said.
She said in the event of an insufficient workforce, states and Union Territories have the option to engage judicial officers and court staff on a contractual basis under the FTSC scheme.
“As regards, stringent legislations and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes like rape/rape and murder, I reiterate my earlier communication conveying that stringent punishments for rape/rape with murder already exist in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS),” the minister said.
The Union Minister said the enactments by the central government are comprehensive and stringent enough to tackle the violence and crimes against women.
“If the state government follows the central legislations in letter and spirit, it will certainly have a lasting impact on strengthening the criminal justice system, bringing the perpetrators of such crimes to face the consequences commensurate with the offence and also in ensuring justice to the victims or survivors,” the union minister said.
“I once again request you to ensure due sensitisation and positive approach of all duty holders at appropriate levels to ensure proper handling of cases with due care and attention to bring finality as per the timelines prescribed under the statutes,” Devi said.
RG Kar rape murder case
The rape and murder of the junior doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital has sparked outrage across the nation, with doctors and others in the medical profession calling for fundamental reforms to ensure dignity and security at their workplace.
Amidst the turmoil, the Trinamool Congress has accused the BJP of politicizing the incident, while the BJP has retaliated by highlighting alleged corruption within Banerjee’s party. The situation has escalated further with the former principal of the college, Sandip Ghosh, coming under scrutiny, and the arrest of the prime suspect, Sanjay Roy, a civic volunteer, who was captured on CCTV near the crime scene.
(With PTI inputs)