Kolkata rape-murder: Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi, tries to put focus on rapes elsewhere too
Times of India | 23 August 2024
KOLKATA: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee wrote to PM Narendra Modi on Thursday, urging the setting up of specialised fast track courts to deal with rape cases and completion of trials within 15 days.
Trinamool national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also spoke on the same lines as he made a post on X on Thursday, demanding larger reforms for delivering swift justice to rape victims across India
In her letter, the CM wrote that according to available data, almost 90 cases of rapes took place in India daily."This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation.
It is a bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure. Such serious and sensitive issues need to be addressed in a comprehensive manner through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes. 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, trials in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days," the CM wrote.
Abhishek on Thursday broke his week-long silence since he had criticixed the hooliganism at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, seeking immediate reforms.."Over the past 10 days, while the nation has been protesting against the RG Kar Medical college incident and demanding justice, 900 rapes have occurred across different parts of India - during the very time when people were on the streets protesting against the horrible crime. Sadly, a lasting solution still remains largely undiscussed. With 90 rapes daily, 4 every hour and one every 15 minute - the urgency for a decisive action is clear," Abhishek posted on X.
The Diamond Harbour MP also urged state govts across the country to push Centre for a comprehensive anti-rape law at the earliest. He sought laws that mandated trials and convictions within 50 days and demanded severest punishments, "not just empty promises". "State governments must act and urgently push the Union for a comprehensive anti-rape law that ensures swift and strict justice. Anything less is merely symbolic and tragically ineffective. Wake up India!" the post read.
On Aug 10, Abhishek had condemned the RG Kar rape-murder and had urged BJP-led Centre to think beyond politics and "introduce a bill to provide strictest punishment to rapists within 7 days if circumstantial evidence is against them." He added that as a responsible opposition "it's duty of TMC and Congress to support the bill."
Sources close to Abhishek said he also wanted Bengal govt to break the shackles of the existing "laggard system" that was not helping the cause. He had also called for "encounter or capital punishment for rapists who don't deserve a place in this society," the source said.