45 new courts in WB for disposal of crimes against women

"The modalities of these courts and their possible locations in the city and districts will be decided soon and the entire plan will be placed in the state cabinet meeting for its approval," Law Minister Chandrima Bhattacharya said.

Judges of these courts would preferably be women on the basis of their availability as per seniority, she said, adding the decision to set up these court was taken up following instruction from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

The state cabinet had earlier decided to set up 88 fast track courts for speedy disposal of important pending cases including those regarding crimes against women.

The cabinet also approved creation of posts of 94 judges for these 88 fast track courts which would be filled up accordingly along with other staff of the proposed courts.

Meanwhile, the state government had taken steps to set up 65 police stations entirely run by women police to deal with crimes against women strongly.

Following the Delhi gang-rape incident chief minister Mamata Banerjee recently called for strong anti-rape laws and favoured calling special session of Parliament on the issue.