Today, On 22nd August, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the introduction of tougher anti-rape legislation and the establishment of fast-track courts to ensure swift justice, with trials completed within 15 days. Banerjee emphasized the need for stringent central laws to address such heinous crimes effectively.
Kolkata: Mamata Banerjee, in her letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, expressed deep concern over the alarming statistic that nearly 90 rape cases occur daily across the country. She emphasized the urgent need for stringent central legislation and fast-track courts to ensure swift justice in such cases.
The letter prompted by the tragic incident on August 9, when a 31-year-old trainee doctor was raped and murdered during a rest break at a Kolkata hospital. The authorities’ handling of the case sparked widespread protests and strikes by doctors nationwide.
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Alapan Bandopadhyay, Chief Advisor to the Chief Minister, read from the letter during a press conference,
“Respected Prime Minister, I would like to draw your attention to the alarming and rising number of rape cases across the country. According to available data, it is horrifying to note that nearly 90 rape cases occur daily nationwide. This deeply affects the confidence and conscience of our society and nation. It is our collective duty to put an end to this, ensuring that women feel safe and secure,”
The letter stated,
“The issue is serious and sensitive and requires a comprehensive approach through stringent central legislation that prescribes exemplary punishment for those involved in such heinous crimes. The establishment of fast-track special courts for speedy trials should also be considered within the proposed legislation to ensure swift justice. Ideally, trials in such cases should be completed within 15 days,”
Earlier today, the Supreme Court, which has established a National Task Force to recommend improvements for healthcare professionals’ working conditions, expressed strong concern over the Kolkata Police‘s delay in registering the unnatural death of the woman doctor at RG Kar Hospital, calling it “extremely disturbing.”
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The court also urged protesting doctors to return to work, emphasizing that “justice and medicine cannot be stopped.” During the hearing of a suo-motu case on the doctor’s murder, the Supreme Court directed the Centre and the states to take immediate measures to institutionalize the safety of healthcare workers across the nation.
The Supreme Court bench ordered, mandating that this process be completed within a week,
“We direct the secretary of the Union Ministry of Health to engage with the chief secretaries of the states and directors general of police to ensure the safety of healthcare professionals,”
The bench stated that peaceful protests related to the Kolkata incident should not be disturbed or disrupted by the West Bengal government.
On August 13, the Calcutta High Court ordered the transfer of the investigation from the Kolkata Police to the CBI, which began its probe on August 14.
A day after the doctor’s body discovered, Kolkata Police arrested a civic police volunteer named Sanjoy Roy. No further arrests have been made so far.
Late on Wednesday night, the Bengal Health Department announced the transfer of three senior officials at the state-run RG Kar Medical College & Hospital, including the newly appointed Principal and Vice Principal.
This decision made in response to the demands of the protesting junior doctors and medical students.