'Failed To Operationalise Fast-Track Courts': Women And Child Development Minister Slams Mamata Banerjee

Annapurna Devi, Minister of Women and Child Development has criticised Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for its perceived shortcomings in ensuring the safety of women and girls, The Hindu reported.

In a letter to Banerjee, she accused the state of not taking the necessary steps to establish the fast-track special courts (FTSC), despite a backlog of 48,600 rape and POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) cases.

The letter expressed her disappointment with the state's failure to implement key emergency helplines such as the Women Helpline (WHL), Emergency Response Support System (ERSS), and Child Helpline.

This comes after Banerjee reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi after the Kolkata rape and murder case, urging the introduction of a central law for sexual assault cases and the establishment of speedy trials.

Devi stressed the importance of these services in providing immediate support to victims of violence and pointed out that despite repeated reminders from the Central government, West Bengal has yet to integrate these systems.

The minister specifically called out the state's failure to make operational the 123 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) allotted under a centrally sponsored scheme, despite the overwhelming backlog of sexual offence cases.

"Under this scheme, the Central government allocated 123 FTSCs to West Bengal, including 20 exclusive POCSO courts and 103 combined courts for both rape and POCSO cases. However, as of mid-June 2023, none of these courts had been made operational," she said.

The FTSC scheme, introduced in October 2019, was intended to accelerate the adjudication of pending cases under the POCSO Act and rape laws. She further argued that this oversight deprives women and children in the state of crucial aid during times of crisis.

Devi added that despite the state government's commitment in June 2023 to start 17 FTSCs, only six exclusive POCSO courts had been operationalised by 30 June 2024 and expressed concern over the remaining 11 FTSCs.