Centre hits out at West Bengal:'123 fast track courts in Bengal but most of them not functional'
- In Reports
- 04:36 PM, Aug 27, 2024
- Myind Staff
The Centre has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which highlighted the issue of rising rape cases across India. The letter was written amidst the public outrage over the alleged rape and murder of a woman doctor at RG Kar Medical College in Kolkata. In its reply, the Centre pointed out that despite being allocated 123 fast-track special courts (FTSCs) to expedite sexual offense cases, most of these courts in West Bengal are not yet operational.
Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi, in a letter to Chief Minister Banerjee, criticised the West Bengal government for its failure to implement key emergency helplines, including the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), and Child Helpline. The minister highlighted the state’s inability to operationalise the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) under a centrally sponsored scheme, despite a significant backlog of cases related to sexual offences.
The FTSC scheme, launched in October 2019, aims to expedite the trial and disposal of pending cases related to rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act. Under this scheme, West Bengal was allocated 123 FTSCs, including 20 exclusive POCSO courts and 103 combined courts for both rape and POCSO cases. However, Minister Devi noted that as of mid-June 2023, none of these courts had been made operational.
"The State of West Bengal communicated its willingness to participate in the Scheme vide letter dated 08.06.2023, committing to start 7 FTSCs. Under the revised target, West Bengal has been allocated 17 FTSCs, of which only 6 exclusive POCSO Courts have been operationalised as of 30.06.2024. In spite of a pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the State Government has not taken any steps to start the remaining 11 FTSCs. Action in this regard is pending with the state government," the minister stated.
Minister Devi urged the West Bengal government to take immediate and effective measures to combat all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had earlier written to Prime Minister Modi, emphasising the severity of the situation, citing that nearly 90 rape cases occur daily across India. She stated that this alarming frequency "shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation." CM Banerjee called for comprehensive action through stringent central legislation to ensure exemplary punishment for those involved in such heinous crimes.
The controversy comes in the wake of the recent tragic incident at RG Kar Medical College, where the body of a woman doctor was found on August 9 in the seminar hall of the hospital's chest department. A civic volunteer, Sanjoy Roy, has been arrested in connection with the case.
Image source: MoneyControl
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