Centre Criticizes West Bengal for Delay in Activating Fast Track Courts

Despite allocation of 123 special courts, West Bengal has operationalized only 6, leaving 48,600 cases pending.

Overview

Union Minister Annapurna Devi responded to Mamata Banerjee's call for stricter laws against rape with criticism of the state's implementation failures.
West Bengal has a significant backlog of rape and POCSO cases, with only 6 of 123 allocated Fast Track Special Courts operational.
The Centre's FTSC scheme, launched in 2019, aims to expedite trials for sexual offenses, but West Bengal has lagged in its execution.
The state has also failed to implement key emergency helplines, depriving women and children of crucial support.
Devi emphasized the need for effective legal frameworks and judicial processes to ensure safety and justice for women and children.