'Factually incorrect': Centre responds to Mamata's letter on rape cases
The Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's second letter, which called for stricter laws and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes such as rape and murder. In her response, Devi accused Banerjee of providing factually incorrect information about the status of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and exclusive POCSO courts in West Bengal. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had earlier labeled Banerjee a "liar" over her letters.
Centre questions West Bengal's court operationalization
Devi stated that according to information from the Calcutta High Court, West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), not FTSCs as covered under the Central Government Scheme. She highlighted that despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases, the state has not operationalized an additional 11 FTSCs. "The information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step...to cover up the delays in operationalizing the FTSCs," Devi said.
Centre defends guidelines for judicial officers in FTSCs
Regarding Banerjee's demand for permanent judicial officers in FTSCs, Devi clarified that the scheme guidelines clearly provide for one judicial officer and seven staff to work exclusively on Rape and POCSO Act cases. "Hence, additional charge of FTSCs cannot be given to any permanent judicial officer or court staff. This position was clarified earlier to the state of West Bengal," she said.
Centre asserts adequacy of existing laws against women's violence
Devi also asserted that the central government's enactments are comprehensive and stringent enough to tackle 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...perpetrators of such crimes to face...consequences commensurate with the offense and also ensuring justice for...victims or survivors," she told Banerjee in her letter.
BJP co-incharge questions Banerjee's commitment to women's safety
Amit Malviya, BJP co-incharge for West Bengal, has also questioned Banerjee over her commitment to ensuring rules and regulations for the protection of women and girls are strictly followed. "It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why the West Bengal government hasn't done anything for implementing...stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girls," Malviya wrote on X. The letters were written in the wake of the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata.
