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The tragic rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata has sparked a fierce debate about the safety of women in India and the need for stricter laws to combat sexual violence. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has taken a strong stance on this issue, writing a second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to implement a central legislation that addresses the heinous crime of rape and ensures exemplary punishment for perpetrators.
In her letter, Banerjee expresses disappointment at the lack of response to her previous letter on the same subject, which she had sent on August 22nd, 2024. While the Minister of Women and Child Development has sent a reply, Banerjee argues that it fails to adequately address the gravity of the issue. She states that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to society have not been given due consideration, and that the generic response overlooks the initiatives already taken by the West Bengal government.
Banerjee highlights the steps her government has taken to address the issue of sexual violence, including the approval of 10 exclusive POCSO courts and the operation of 88 fast-track special courts (FTSCs) and 62 POCSO-designated courts across the state. These courts are fully funded by the state government. However, she points out that the disposal of cases ultimately rests with the courts, and that according to Central government guidelines, only retired judicial officers can be posted as presiding officers in FTSCs. The High Court has observed that due to the severity of these cases, permanent judicial officers need to be posted, a matter that requires intervention from the Government of India.
Banerjee also emphasizes the successful operation of helpline numbers 112 and 1098 in the state, along with the use of Dial-100 for emergency situations. Despite these efforts, she firmly believes that a stringent Central legislation with mandatory provisions for timely disposal of cases by trial authorities is crucial to ensure justice and deter future crimes. She appeals to the Prime Minister to give this matter serious consideration in the interest of society.
This latest development comes as a response to the BJP-led NDA government's criticism of the West Bengal government's alleged failure to implement crucial safety measures for women and girls. The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, had accused the state of failing to establish 11 fast-track special courts despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases. She also criticized the state's lack of implementation of emergency helplines. However, Banerjee's letter counters these allegations by outlining the state government's efforts and reiterating her call for a strong central law to address the issue of sexual violence.