‘Hope It Would Get Attention’: Under Fire, Mamata Writes Second Letter To PM Modi For Stricter Anti-Rape Laws

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday wrote another letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and reiterated her earlier demand for a strict punishment for the culprit.

Sharing the letter on her X handle, the Chief Minister wrote, “No reply was received from your end on such a sensitive issue. However, a reply has been received from the Minister of Women and Child Development, Government of India, which barely attends the gravity of the issue raised in my letter.”

In the letter, she also mentioned the steps and initiatives taken by the state government to address the cases of heinous crimes or rapes.

Mamata stated that 10 exclusive POCSO courts have been approved by the state government in addition to the existing 88 FTSCs and 62 POCSO-designated courts, functioning across West Bengal.

“Regarding Fast Track Special Courts (FJSCs), 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,” (sic), her letter read.

“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,” the letter stated.

Banerjee further urged to consider stringent Central legislation and exemplary punishment for heinous crimes of rape/rape and murder.

“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,” the Chief Minister wrote.

BJP HITS OUT

Reacting to Banerjee’s letter to the Prime Minister, BJP’s IT Cell chief, Amit Malviya, said that the Bengal Chief Minister is a “liar”, as Union Minister of Women and Child Development, in her response to Banerjee’s earlier letter, mentioned that the state government has not set up even a single fast track court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases.

In a post on X, Malviya wrote, “Mamata Banerjee is a LIAR. Smt Annapurna Devi, Union Minister of Women and Child Development, responded to West Bengal Chief Minister on 25th Aug 2024. In her letter, in point 4, she specifically mentions West Bengal Govt NOT setting up even a single Fast Track Court for addressing rape and POCSO related cases”.

“It is incumbent on Mamata Banerjee to explain why West Bengal Govt hasn’t done anything for implementing the stringent rules and regulations, which exist for protecting women and girl,” he added.

“Stop writing letters. ANSWER the questions. You are ACCOUNTABLE,” Malviya wrote.

BANERJEE’s EARLIER LETTER TO PM MODI

In her earlier letter to the Prime Minister, Mamata Banerjee had sought strict punishment for the Kolkata rape and murder accused within 15 days.

“Respected Prime Minister, I wish to bring to your kind attention the regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases, rapes with murder are committed. Setting up of Fast Track Special Courts for speedy trial in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation. To ensure quick justice, trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” her letter stated.

UNION MINISTER’s RESPONSE

In response, Annapurna Devi said the situation of women in West Bengal has been “deteriorating” and slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress government for failing to implement central schemes such as fast-track courts and emergency helplines to deal with crimes against women.

Devi claimed most of the fast-track special courts (FTSCs), allocated to West Bengal, are yet to become operational.

The WCD Minister also said that the state “failed” to implement key emergency helplines — the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) and Child Helpline.

WHAT’S THE CASE?

The case pertains to the rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9 while she was resting at a seminar hall after completing her duties.

The prime accused, Sanjay Roy, was arrested a day later.

Amid the ongoing protests, some miscreants entered the premises of the state-run RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 14 and vandalised portions of the medical facility, where the body of the victim was found.

On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the probe from Kolkata Police to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

The case brought the functioning of RG Kar Hospital under scrutiny, leading to the ouster of its principal, and triggered massive protests by the medical fraternity’s students and the civil society.