West Bengal Ranks Third in Number of Fast Track Courts Amid National Uproar

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien highlighted that West Bengal has the third highest number of functional fast track courts in the country. Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi criticized the state government for not initiating additional courts despite high case pendency. CM Mamata Banerjee responded by asserting active efforts and requesting stronger central legislation.

Amid a national uproar over the rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a Kolkata hospital, Trinamool Congress leader Derek O'Brien announced on Friday that West Bengal boasts the third highest number of fast track courts in India.

O'Brien highlighted this via a social media post, sharing a written reply from Rajya Sabha detailing fast track court numbers as of May 2023. With 88 operational courts, West Bengal is surpassed only by Uttar Pradesh with 372, and Maharashtra with 97.

He tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his post, pointing out the state's extensive judicial efforts as the central government criticized West Bengal for not establishing additional courts. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee affirmed existing court functions and renewed calls for stringent central laws for heinous crimes.

(With inputs from agencies.)