Minister Criticizes Bengal’s Delay in Setting Up Fast-Track Courts

Estimated read time: 2 min

Union Minister Annapurna Devi has publicly criticized the West Bengal government for its failure to operationalize a significant number of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) allocated to the state, raising concerns over the mounting backlog of cases involving sexual offenses. The criticism comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny following the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata, which has sparked nationwide outrage and protests.

Annapurna Devi highlighted that West Bengal had been allocated 123 FTSCs, including 20 courts exclusively for cases under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Despite this, none of these courts had been operational as of mid-2023. By June 30, 2024, only six POCSO courts had become functional, leaving thousands of cases in limbo. This delay, according to the minister, severely hampers the delivery of justice, particularly for victims of rape and child abuse, as the state currently faces a backlog of approximately 48,600 cases.

The minister further pointed out that the West Bengal government has yet to implement key national helplines designed to support women and children in distress. This includes the Women Helpline (181), the Emergency Response Support System (112), and the Child Helpline (1098), all of which have been operational in most other states. Devi argued that the lack of these critical services in West Bengal is a significant oversight that endangers vulnerable populations.

In response to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s call for stricter laws to address crimes such as rape and murder, Devi emphasized that the existing legislative framework under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 already provides for severe punishments. The Union Minister urged the West Bengal government to focus on implementing these laws effectively rather than seeking additional legislation.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused Mamata Banerjee of using the issue to mislead the public, especially in light of the protests following the Kolkata rape-murder case. The BJP claims that while Banerjee demands stricter laws, her government has failed to utilize existing resources effectively, as evidenced by the delay in setting up FTSCs and implementing national helplines.

Banerjee’s administration has come under increasing pressure from both the public and the judiciary. The Supreme Court, having taken suo motu cognizance of the Kolkata incident, has set up a National Task Force to propose measures for improving the safety and working conditions of healthcare professionals, further intensifying the spotlight on the state government's actions.

The controversy surrounding the operationalization of FTSCs and the broader issue of women’s safety in West Bengal is expected to continue as both state and central authorities grapple with the legal and political ramifications of these developments.

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