Mamata Banerjee appeals to PM Modi for stringent anti-rape legislation

On Thursday, August 22, 2024, Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, addressed a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the implementation of robust Anti-Rape Legislation to address the rising incidence of rape cases throughout the nation. This correspondence from Banerjee coincides with widespread protests triggered by the suspected rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata on August 9.

In her correspondence, Banerjee emphasized the “regular and increasing occurrence of rape cases throughout the country” and referenced statistics indicating that “almost 90 cases of rapes occur daily throughout the country”. She remarked that this “shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation”.

The Chief Minister called for “stringent central legislation prescribing exemplary punishment against the persons involved in such dastardly crimes”. She further advocated for the “establishment of fast-track special courts for speedy trials in such cases” and recommended that “trial in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days to ensure quick justice”.

Supreme Court Criticizes Delays, Strengthening the Case for Anti-Rape Legislation

The case concerning the rape and murder of a doctor in Kolkata has recently been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) by the Calcutta High Court. The Central Bureau of Investigation has submitted a request to a court in Kolkata for authorization to perform polygraph examinations on the former principal of R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital, along with four additional doctors.

The Supreme Court has raised serious concerns regarding the Kolkata Police’s “extremely disturbing” delay in filing the FIR associated with the case. The FIR was lodged approximately 14 hours after the body was found, a timeline the court deemed unacceptable in light of the crime’s gravity. Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, along with other justices, expressed astonishment at the prolonged duration taken by the police to secure the crime scene and initiate the investigation, particularly since the post-mortem examination was carried out before the FIR being filed. The post-mortem took place between 6:10 PM and 7:10 PM, yet the police did not register the case until 11:30 PM on the same day.

The police’s sluggish response, coupled with a significant public outcry, has sparked widespread protests, especially among healthcare professionals advocating for justice and improved working conditions. This situation has intensified tensions among political factions, with allegations of politicizing the incident surfacing. Violence erupted outside the headquarters of the State Health Department in Kolkata as a rally organized by the BJP escalated into clashes.

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