'Rapists don't deserve to live': TMC's Abhishek Banerjee calls for 7-day trials
Times of India | 11 August 2024
Abhishek Banerjee at the administrative meeting in Amtala on Saturday KOLKATA: "Rapists don't deserve to live, they should either be hanged or (shot) in an encounter," Trinamool general secretary Abhishek Banerjee said on Saturday, adding, "these people do not deserve a place in society and no point wasting money on them during a trial that continues for years".
Banerjee said BJP, which was protesting the R G Kar Hospital rape-murder case, should shift its focus to bring a bill (in Parliament) which ensures a seven-day trial for rape cases instead of working overtime to extend the ED director's tenure."It will be the job of the opposition, Trinamool and Congress, to support this bill," he said.
Banerjee was speaking to reporters after an administrative meeting in Diamond Harbour, his Lok Sabha constituency. Asked on the rape-murder incident, he said: "It's the law that has forced our hands. Such a person should not be allowed to be a part of society. A rapist has no identity even if the said person is a policeman, labourer, carpenter or whatever. The accused is simply a rapist."
"I saw many political parties were out on the streets with flags. Centre can bring an ordinance to increase tenure of ED director but no ordinance for speedy justice in case of rape. BJP functionaries who are protesting should bring a bill to provide punishment to rapists in seven days. Why will it take 5-6 years for a trial?" he said.
Banerjee added: "This is my personal opinion, you may agree or disagree."
"Had this been Uttar Pradesh, even the body would have gone missing. If we do not change the law, nothing will change. A strict law should be brought for a speedy trial in 7 days. Why keep that accused in jail for 5-6 years and invest so much money during the trial? If it costs even Rs 200 per day for the stay and food expenses of an undertrial prisoner in jail, it costs around Rs 6,000 per month, i.e. Rs 72,000 annually. If a person is in jail for 5 years regardless of which state they are in, around Rs 3.5 lakh is spent on the upkeep of the undertrial prisoner. In 7 years, more than Rs 5 lakh is spent. This money can be used to make houses for three poor people."
"Circumstantial evidence should be considered. If it is against the accused, that should be considered... not a botched-up investigation in seven days to hang the accused. If the evidence is against you, within seven days trial should be completed. What happened in the Bilkis Bano case? The Supreme Court had to intervene. It is our collective failure - Hathras, Nirbhaya, Unnao," Banerjee added.
While commending police on the swift arrest, Banerjee also raised some questions. "I thank police for acting swiftly within 24 hours and would also add that police who are responsible for security there should be more vigilant. Why will someone enter the hospital late at night?" he said.
"A mother and father lost their daughter. It should be the responsibility of political parties, media and judiciary to collectively provide justice to the family. The CM is directly looking into this," he added.