WCD Minister Annapurna Devi urges West Bengal CM to strengthen Fast Track Special Courts for rape, POCSO cases
The Hindu
Union Minister urges West Bengal to establish Fast Track Special Courts for rape and POCSO cases swiftly and efficiently.
Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, has again called on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to expedite the establishment and operationalisation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) dedicated to handling cases of rape and those under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the State.
In a letter dated August 30, Ms. Devi highlighted concerns over the State's existing Fast Track Courts (FTCs) and urged the Chief Minister to ensure that justice is served swiftly and efficiently for victims of heinous crimes.
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The Union Minister referenced a previous letter sent on August 25, where she had stressed the importance of stringent legislation and exemplary punishment for crimes like rape and murder.
Responding to a subsequent communication from Mamata Banerjee, Ms. Devi pointed out that while West Bengal has established 88 FTCs, these are not the same as the FTSCs recommended under the Central Government's scheme.
She noted that the FTCs in the State handle a broad spectrum of cases, including civil disputes, rather than being exclusively dedicated to rape and POCSO cases.
Ms. Devi further emphasised the significant backlog in the State's justice system, with over 81,000 cases pending in the FTCs as of June 30, 2024. She expressed concern that the State has yet to operationalise an additional 11 FTSCs to meet the increasing demand, despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases.
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