Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday criticised West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her government of ignoring crimes against women in the state.
Amid the controversy surrounding Bengal's anti-rape law, Rijiju on November 11, 2021, published a letter to the West Bengal government, urging the establishment of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to handle rape cases and cases under the POCSO Act.
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In a post on X, Rijiju wrote: “I am saddened that the Chief Minister of West Bengal has ignored her most sacred duty to provide speedy justice to women and children. This letter from 2021 clearly shows that. In 2018, a stringent law was passed by Parliament to tackle heinous crimes like rape. State governments must take action!”
What did the letter say?
The letter states, “As per available information, there are 28,559 rape and POSCO Act cases pending in the State of West Bengal as of May 2021. Since the safety and security of our women and children are of paramount importance to both the Central and State Governments, the need for early operationalisation and robust functioning of the designated FTSCs and ePOSCO courts needs no special emphasis.”
It was further stated that “123 FTSCs including 20 ePOSCO courts have been allotted to the State of West Bengal on caseload basis. However, the consent of the State Government is still awaited for setting up of these FTSCs and ePOSCO courts.”
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In another post, Rjiju wrote: “This is a very serious matter. Please do not make it a political issue. Very strict laws are necessary but strict actions are more important. When the letter was written, the media had widely spread this news but the West Bengal government failed to take any action!”
The Union Minister also highlighted that Parliament had passed a stringent law in 2018 to tackle heinous crimes like rape, which had provisions for setting up Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to expedite the trial and resolution of pending rape and POCSO Act cases. He alleged that despite numerous communications in 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Trinamool Congress government had not agreed to implement this centrally sponsored scheme under the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018.
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Meanwhile, Suvendu Adhikari reposted Rijiju’s post and quoted, “This letter dated 2021, sent by the then Minister of Law and Justice; Shri Kiren Rijiju Ji, highlighted the lukewarm attitude of the WB government towards setting up of Fast Track Special Courts and POCSO Courts. Even after directly discussing the matter with the Chief Minister of West Bengal himself, she ignored the issue which was desperately needed to ensure speedy justice for women and children.”
Adhikari added, “CM Mamata Banerjee, it's time to act on what you say. Everyone knows that whatever you say or do now is nothing but nonsense.”
In December 2017, Madhya Pradesh became the first state in India to pass a law that states that those convicted of raping girls aged 12 or below can be sentenced to death by hanging.
Also Read: Bengal's Anti-Rape Bill Awaits President's Nod: Will This Bill Face the Same Fate as the Maharashtra Shakti Act and the Andhra Disha Act?
The West Bengal Assembly on Tuesday unanimously passed the 'Aparajita Woman and Child Bill (West Bengal Criminal Laws and Amendment) 2024'.
This development follows the tragic rape and murder of a trainee doctor last month at the RG Kar Medical Center and Hospital on August 9.
Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee extended her support to the West Bengal Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, 2024. She said the law is meant to protect the dignity of women and warned that if Bengal is treated badly, it will have a domino effect.
(With input from agencies)
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