The Centre has responded to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's second letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in which she called for tougher central laws and stricter punishments for crimes like rape and murder. The Union government criticized Banerjee’s stance, suggesting that her letter aimed to "cover up delays" by the state government in implementing critical legal mechanisms.

In a formal reply, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi highlighted that West Bengal had not yet operationalized an additional 11 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) to address cases of rape and sexual assault on children. These courts are intended to expedite justice for such crimes, and Devi expressed concern over the backlog of over 48,600 rape and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) cases in the state.

Devi pointed out that while Bengal had set up 88 Fast Track Courts (FTCs), these were distinct from the FTSCs mandated under a central government scheme. FTCs handle a wide range of cases, including civil disputes and crimes involving vulnerable groups, but do not specifically focus on rape and Pocso cases.

Responding to Banerjee’s call for permanent judicial officers in these courts, the Union Minister emphasized that each FTSC requires a dedicated team of judicial officers and staff to ensure the timely disposal of cases. She added that the central government had already clarified in December 2023 that states could engage judicial officers and staff on a contractual basis to address workforce shortages.

Annapurna Devi further underscored that the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) already provides stringent punishments for rape, including life imprisonment and the death penalty in severe cases. She also mentioned that the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) mandates a two-month timeframe for completing investigations and trials in rape cases, ensuring swift justice.

The Centre urged the West Bengal government to fully implement existing central laws to strengthen the criminal justice system and ensure that justice is served in cases of violence against women. This exchange follows a nationwide outcry over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The incident has sparked widespread protests, with demands for swift and severe action against those responsible.