NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday responded to West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighting incidents of rape cases across India. The Centra said that West Bengal has been allocated 123 fast-track courts, but most of them are not functional yet.
Union minister Annuparna Devi responded to Mamata’s letter and said, “”As of 30.06.2024, 752 FTSCs including 409 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs which have disposed of more than 2,53,000 cases since the inception of scheme.Under the scheme, the State of West Bengal was allocated a total of 123 FTSCs, which included 20 exclusive POCSO Courts and 103 combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO Act cases. However, none of these courts had been operationalized till mid-June, 2023.”
“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 operationalized 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,” she added.
The Union minister also said that recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita “comprehensively addresses the issues of crimes against women by providing stringent punishments”
This comes days after Mamata wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on increasing number of rapes across the country and how the proposed legislation can ensure speedy justice.
“I wish to bring to your kind attention the regular and increasing occurence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases, rapes with murder are committed,” wrote Banerjee in her letter to PM Modi.
“According to the available data, it is horrifying to see that almost 90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country. This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure,” she said.
“Such serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. Setting up of Fast Track Special Courts for speedy trial in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation. To ensure quick justice, trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” added Mamata.
Union minister Annuparna Devi responded to Mamata’s letter and said, “”As of 30.06.2024, 752 FTSCs including 409 exclusive POCSO Courts are functional in 30 States/UTs which have disposed of more than 2,53,000 cases since the inception of scheme.Under the scheme, the State of West Bengal was allocated a total of 123 FTSCs, which included 20 exclusive POCSO Courts and 103 combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO Act cases. However, none of these courts had been operationalized till mid-June, 2023.”
“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 operationalized 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,” she added.
The Union minister also said that recently implemented Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita “comprehensively addresses the issues of crimes against women by providing stringent punishments”
This comes days after Mamata wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on increasing number of rapes across the country and how the proposed legislation can ensure speedy justice.
“I wish to bring to your kind attention the regular and increasing occurence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases, rapes with murder are committed,” wrote Banerjee in her letter to PM Modi.
“According to the available data, it is horrifying to see that almost 90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country. This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure,” she said.
“Such serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. Setting up of Fast Track Special Courts for speedy trial in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation. To ensure quick justice, trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” added Mamata.
Source Agencies
