Your letter 'factually incorrect' to 'cover up delays' in setting up of FTSCs for rape cases: Center to Mamata Banjeree
Mamata Banerjee's leter on August 29 is factually incorrect and is a step to cover up delays in setting up fast track special courts for rape cases.
In a letter dated August 30, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, said that West Bengal has established 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), which are not the same as the Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) covered under the Central Government Scheme.
«The FTCs are set up and funded by the State Governments in consultation with the concerned High Courts to handle a broad spectrum of cases such as civil cases involving senior citizens, women, children, disabled persons, litigants affected by HIV-AIDS and other terminal illnesses; and civil disputes related to land acquisition and property/ rent disputes pending for over five years including cases of heinous crimes. In the FTCs in West Bengal, a total of 81,141 cases were pending as on 30.06.2024. On the other hand, Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) are specifically dedicated to deal with Rape and POCSO Act cases. lnspite of pendency of 48,600 rape and POCSO cases in West Bengal, the State has not operationalized additional 11 FTSCs which may be exclusive POCSO Courts or combined FTSCs dealing with both Rape and POCSO cases, as per the State's requirement,» she added.
«As may be seen, the information contained in your letter in this regard is factually incorrect and appears to be a step in the direction to cover up the delays in operationalising the FTSCs by the state,» the letter read.
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