The West Bengal government has approved the setting up of 88 fast track courts to ensure speedy justice to the people, Industries Minister Partha Chatterjee said here on Wednesday.
“These courts will be set up on a permanent basis. This process will create posts for 94 judges apart from other staff appointments, including stenographers and clerks,” Mr. Chatterjee said after the Cabinet meeting. The announcement comes in the wake of the gang-rape of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi, following which the setting up of five fast track courts was announced. The first one was inaugurated on Wednesday.
Mamata’s assurance
On the day the gang-rape victim died, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee advocated “strong laws” for stringent punishment to perpetrators of such crimes. “If necessary, the Centre can convene a special session of Parliament to pass such strong laws and we would fully co-operate,” she had said.
Mr. Chatterjee said the initiative was taken despite the huge debt burden and financial crisis the State was facing.
