"Step to cover up..." centre slams CM Mamata's letter on rape cases

The Union Women and Child Development Minister has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's second letter, in which she urged for a stringent law and time-bound disposal of rape and murder cases. This exchange comes amid the CBI investigation into the rape and murder of a junior doctor in Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College. The BJP has criticized Banerjee, labeling her a "liar" and questioning her efforts to implement existing laws to protect women in West Bengal.

Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi, in her response to Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee, writes "With regard to the information contained in your letter about the status of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) and exclusive POCSO courts in West Bengal, I may mention that according to information received from the Calcutta High Court, West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) covered under the Central Government Scheme."

Ms. Devi further pointed out that despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the state has not operationalized the additional 11 FTSCs that could address these cases, labelling that Banerjee's letter appeared to be an attempt to cover up delays in the implementation of these courts.

"... ln spite of pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the state has not operationalised additional 11 FTSCs which may be exclusive POCSO courts or combined FTSCs dealing with both rape and POCSO cases, as per the state's requirement. As may be seen, the information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction to cover up the delays in operationalizing the FTSCs by the state," stated the letter.