Annapurna Devi has written a letter to CM Mamata Banerjee
A junior doctor was raped and murdered at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College on August 9, prompting a nationwide demand for justice for the victim. Recently Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi wrote a letter to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Minister Annapurna Devi, in a letter, asked CM Banerjee to set up a dedicated Fast Track Special Court (FTSC) and speed up its operation to dispose of cases registered under the Protection of Children (POCSO) Act, including rape and sexual offences. asked for the state.
Earlier also Minister Annapurna Devi had written a letter to CM Banerjee on August 25, to which the CM replied, now the Child Development Minister has once again written a letter on August 30 on the CM’s reply. In a letter dated August 30, the minister expressed concern over the existing Fast Track Courts (FTC) in the state and requested the Chief Minister to ensure that victims of heinous crimes get justice at the earliest.
Annapurna Devi wrote the letter
The Union minister had earlier referred to his letter written on August 25, in which he stressed the need for stricter laws and stricter punishment for crimes like rape and murder. After the minister’s letter dated August 25, CM Mamata responded to it and said that there are 88 FTCs in the state, to which Annapurna Devi has now written a letter saying that 88 FTCs have been set up in West Bengal, but not accordingly. The Central Government scheme is not equivalent to FTSC (Fast Track Special Court).
He said that instead of being dedicated only to rape and POCSO cases, the FTC in the state is also made to deal with crimes related to women, children and the elderly. This court is not only for cases of rape and POCSO Act against women and children, while the fast track special court has been created only for cases of sexual harassment, rape and POCSO Act.
what did you ask for
Minister Annapurna Devi referred to the pending cases in the state’s justice system and said that more than 81,000 cases are pending in the state’s fast track courts as on June 30, 2024. Expressing concern, he said that there are 48,600 pending cases. Although POCSO and Rape are included, the state is yet to start functioning of 11 FTSCs.
In her letter, Annapurna Devi also mentioned the issue of appointment of judicial officers in FTSC. The FTSC consists of judicial officers who deal with cases of rape and offenses under the POCSO Act, he said, adding that no permanent appointments should be made to such posts.
Strict laws on sexual harassment
Annapurna Devi said that the country already has strict punishment provisions in the Indian Judicial Code to deal with crimes like rape, with a minimum 10-year jail term for rape, which can go up to life imprisonment. Depending on the seriousness of the crime, the penalty may be commuted to death. He also referred to the provisions of the Indian Civil Protection Code (BNSS) for timely investigation and trial of such cases, including the provision of mandatory forensic investigation within two months of the offence.
In her letter, Annapurna Devi demanded the West Bengal government to give justice to Kolkata’s Nirbhaya at the earliest and urged them to take proactive steps to fully implement the central law and dispose of cases properly and as early as possible. He emphasized the importance of creating a safe society free from violence and discrimination against women.
