‘123 fast-track courts allotted, but…’: Central government hits back at Mamata after chief minister’s letter to PM Modi over rising rape cases | News from India
NEW DELHI: The Centre responded on Monday to West Bengal Prime Minister Mamata Banerjee Letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi Highlighting incidents of Rape cases across India. The Centra said that West Bengal had 123 Fast foodbut most of them are not yet functional.
Union Minister Annuparna Devi Responding to Mamata’s letter, the Indian Institute of Criminal Justice (ICC) said, “As on 30.06.2024, 752 FTSCs, including 409 exclusive POCSO courts, are operational in 30 states/UTs, which have disposed of more than 253,000 cases since the scheme was introduced. Under the scheme, the state of West Bengal has been allotted a total of 123 FTSCs, including 20 exclusive POCSO courts and 103 combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO Act cases. However, none of these courts had become operational as of mid-June 2023.”
“The State of West Bengal has expressed its willingness to participate in the scheme vide a letter dated 08.06.2023 and has committed to open 7 FTSCs. Under the revised target, West Bengal has been allotted 17 FTSCs, out of which only 6 exclusive POCSO courts have been made functional by 30.06.2024. Though there are 48,600 rape and POCSO cases pending in West Bengal, the State Government has not taken any steps to open the remaining 11 FTSCS. Action in this regard is pending with the State Government,” it added.
The Union Minister also said that the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita “comprehensively addresses the issues of crimes against women by providing stringent punishment”.
Just days earlier, Mamata had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi informing him about the rising number of rapes across the country and explaining how the proposed legislation could bring swift justice.
“I would like to bring to your attention that cases of rape are occurring regularly and on the rise across the country and in many cases rape is followed by murder,” Banerjee wrote in her letter to Prime Minister Modi.
“According to the data available, it is shocking that nearly 90 cases of rape are occurring every day across the country. This is shaking the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is our duty to put an end to this so that women feel safe and secure,” she said.
“Such a serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed comprehensively through stringent central laws providing exemplary punishments for those involved in such heinous crimes. Setting up of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in such cases should also be considered in the proposed laws. To ensure speedy dispensation of justice, trials in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” Mamata added.
Union Minister Annuparna Devi Responding to Mamata’s letter, the Indian Institute of Criminal Justice (ICC) said, “As on 30.06.2024, 752 FTSCs, including 409 exclusive POCSO courts, are operational in 30 states/UTs, which have disposed of more than 253,000 cases since the scheme was introduced. Under the scheme, the state of West Bengal has been allotted a total of 123 FTSCs, including 20 exclusive POCSO courts and 103 combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO Act cases. However, none of these courts had become operational as of mid-June 2023.”
“The State of West Bengal has expressed its willingness to participate in the scheme vide a letter dated 08.06.2023 and has committed to open 7 FTSCs. Under the revised target, West Bengal has been allotted 17 FTSCs, out of which only 6 exclusive POCSO courts have been made functional by 30.06.2024. Though there are 48,600 rape and POCSO cases pending in West Bengal, the State Government has not taken any steps to open the remaining 11 FTSCS. Action in this regard is pending with the State Government,” it added.
The Union Minister also said that the recently enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita “comprehensively addresses the issues of crimes against women by providing stringent punishment”.
Just days earlier, Mamata had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi informing him about the rising number of rapes across the country and explaining how the proposed legislation could bring swift justice.
“I would like to bring to your attention that cases of rape are occurring regularly and on the rise across the country and in many cases rape is followed by murder,” Banerjee wrote in her letter to Prime Minister Modi.
“According to the data available, it is shocking that nearly 90 cases of rape are occurring every day across the country. This is shaking the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is our duty to put an end to this so that women feel safe and secure,” she said.
“Such a serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed comprehensively through stringent central laws providing exemplary punishments for those involved in such heinous crimes. Setting up of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in such cases should also be considered in the proposed laws. To ensure speedy dispensation of justice, trials in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” Mamata added.
