West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeking stringent laws and “quick justice” in rape cases. In the letter dated August 22, she highlighted the "regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country". Her statement came amid a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata.
“I wish to bring to your kind attention the regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country and in many cases, rapes with murder are committed,” the West Bengal chief minister said in the letter she shared on X.
Citing data, Mamata Banerjee wrote, “…it is horrifying to see that almost 90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country."
“This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation. It is bounden duty for all of us to put an end to it so that the women feel safe and secure,” the West Bengal CM said.
Banerjee demanded that “such a serious and sensitive issue needs to be addressed comprehensively through stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes”.
She said the proposed legislation should also consider setting up Fast-Track Special Courts for speedy trial in such cases. “To ensure quick justice, trials in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” she told PM Modi.
Banerjee's letter came amid the ongoing probe into the alleged rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in the seminar hall of Kolkata's RG Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9. The incident triggered mass nationwide protests this month.
Many opposition leaders are calling for Banerjee's resignation as the CM over the rape and murder case. BJP MP Saumitra Khan expressed concern and claimed that the Kolkata Police is trying to cover up the case and asked for the resignation of the West Bengal chief minister on Thursday.
“The way Kolkata Police is trying to cover up the case, we are scared whether this case will go forward. Being a woman, Mamata Banerjee should take responsibility and resign,” said BJP MP Saumitra Khan.
