Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the urgent need for quicker verdicts in cases involving crimes against women to bolster their safety. He expressed deep concern about the rise in atrocities against women and child safety issues, stressing that society must take these matters seriously. His remarks come in the wake of public outrage over the rape and murder of a woman doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata.

"India has several laws addressing women's safety, including the 2019 fast-track courts law, which established witness deposition centres. District monitoring committees play a crucial role in this process. We must strengthen these committees to ensure faster verdicts in cases involving women's safety," PM Modi said while speaking at an event in Delhi celebrating 75 years of the Supreme Court.

He further noted that swift decisions in such cases would provide a greater sense of security for half of the country's population. "The sooner justice is delivered in cases of atrocities against women, the more assured women will feel about their safety," he stressed.

His comments follow a letter from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who urged him to implement stronger central legislation and impose exemplary punishments for heinous crimes like rape and murder. She expressed disappointment over not receiving a response to her earlier plea on this sensitive issue.

In response, the central government stated that existing laws are sufficient to tackle such crimes and urged state governments to rigorously enforce them. Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Annapurna Devi, noted that strict adherence to central legislation would help reinforce the criminal justice system, ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice and victims receive the protection they deserve.

During the Supreme Court event, PM Modi also highlighted the steps taken in the past decade to reduce delays in justice delivery and improve the judicial infrastructure to facilitate timely verdicts.