Mamata Banerjee had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the second time, urging the central government to enact tougher laws and enforce stricter punishments for crimes like rape and murder. Her latest appeal came in the wake of widespread outrage over the brutal rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. Banerjee’s letter called for the creation of mandatory provisions for the time-bound disposal of such cases.

Centre Slams Mamata Over FTSC Delays

On August 30, 2024, the Centre responded sharply to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s request for stricter central laws and harsher penalties for heinous crimes such as rape and murder. The Union Women and Child Development Minister, Annapurna Devi, criticized Banerjee and accused her of attempting to cover up the Bengal government’s delays in establishing additional Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs). Devi’s response highlights a significant dispute over the implementation of legal measures designed to address sexual violence and other serious crimes.

In her response, Union Minister Annapurna Devi criticized the West Bengal government’s failure to operationalize 11 additional FTSCs designated to handle rape and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act cases. Devi pointed out that despite a backlog of 48,600 cases in the state, these courts, which are crucial for expediting justice, remain inactive. Devi argued that the information in Banerjee’s letter was misleading and aimed at diverting attention from the state’s shortcomings.

महिलाओं को सशक्त बनाना और उन्हें सुरक्षित वातावरण प्रदान करना भारत सरकार की सर्वोच्च प्राथमिकता है। सरकार महिला सुरक्षा के प्रति पूर्णतः समर्पित है और इसे अपनी प्रमुख जिम्मेदारी मानती है। (1/2) …@narendramodi | @MamataOfficial pic.twitter.com/zKNa1AzNyN

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— Annapurna Devi (@Annapurna4BJP) August 30, 2024

The Fast Track Special Courts

The FTSCs, designed to accelerate the legal process for rape and sexual assault cases, are part of a central scheme. The Union Minister emphasized that the West Bengal government has only set up 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which do not match the specialized FTSCs under the central government’s scheme. FTCs, funded by state governments, handle a broader range of cases, including civil disputes and other serious crimes. Devi clarified that the central government’s FTSC scheme specifically requires judicial officers and staff dedicated to handling rape and Pocso cases, which West Bengal has yet to implement.

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Judicial And Legislative Measures

Devi also addressed Banerjee’s concerns about the need for permanent judicial officers in FTSCs. She noted that the central guidelines stipulate the use of one judicial officer and seven staff members per FTSC. The Department of Justice had previously clarified that additional officers could be hired on a contractual basis if there were staffing shortages. Devi reaffirmed that stringent punishments for rape, including life imprisonment or the death penalty in severe cases, are already outlined in the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Regarding the mandatory time frames for case disposal, Devi highlighted that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) mandates completion of investigations and trials within specified periods, which are designed to ensure timely justice. She urged the West Bengal government to implement these central legislations fully and effectively.

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