Didi Writes to PM: Demands Stronger Central Rape Law

 Kolkata: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has complained to Prime Minister Narendra Modi of not getting his reply to her recent letter seeking a central law against rape that would deliver justice into the crime. The Trinamul Congress supremo pointed out her grievance in a fresh letter to Mr Modi on Thursday.

She wrote, “You may kindly recall my letter No.44-CM dated August 22, 2024 (copy enclosed) regarding the need for stringent Central legislation on incidents of rape and meting out exemplary punishment to perpetrators of such crimes. No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue.”

Ms Banerjee explained, “However, a reply has been received from the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India (vide their No. 1/RESC/HMWCD/2024 dated 25th August 2024), which barely attends the gravity of the issue raised in my letter. I'am of the thought that the seriousness of the subject and its relevance to the society have not been adequately appreciated while sending out this generic reply.”

She said, “Not only so, I would also refer to some of the initiatives in the area that our State has already taken which appears to have been overlooked in the reply. Regarding Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs), 10 exclusive POCSO Courts have been approved by the State Government. In addition to this, 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO designated Courts are functioning throughout the State on complete State funding. Monitoring and disposal of cases is completely in the hands of the Courts.”

Ms Banerjee added, “As per Central Government guidelines, only retired Judicial Officers can be posted as Presiding Officers in FTSCs but Hon'ble High Court has observed that in view of the severity of the cases, permanent Judicial Officers need to be posted. This requires examination at the level of Government of India and suitable action thereafter, for which your intervention would be necessary.

She also underlined, “Moreover, Helpline Nos. 112 and 1098 are satisfactorily working in the State. In addition, Dial 100 is also extensively used in emergency situations. I would reiterate and earnestly request to kindly consider a stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment on heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder with mandatory provision for disposal of cases in a specific time-frame by the trial authorities. I hope this matter would receive a very considered attention at your kind end in the interest of our society at large.”