Bring law for 15-day trial in rape cases: Mamata to PM

New Delhi, August 22

Amid the ongoing protests over the rape and murder of a junior doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring in a stringent central law paving the way for a 15-day trial and “exemplary punishment” in rape cases.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, the Chief Minister wrote that incidents of rape, coupled with murder, have increased in the country and steps must be taken to “put an end to it so that women feel safe and secure”. “According to the available data, it is horrifying to see that almost 90 rape cases occur daily throughout the country… This shakes the confidence and conscience of the society and the nation,” Banerjee wrote. “Setting up of Fast Track Special courts for speedy trial in such cases should also be considered in the proposed legislation. To ensure quick justice, trials in such cases should preferably be completed within 15 days,” the TMC chief wrote.