A son of a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) booth president in Ausgram of East Burdwan district of West Bengal has been arrested for the gang rape of a Class 9 student while she was on her way to a shop. The incident has caused outrage in the area despite the arrest of six people. Four of them, including the son of the TMC leader, are minors.
According to preliminary police reports, the girl was walking to a village shop with a friend when the six accused intercepted them on the road. They allegedly dragged the minor girl forcefully to a nearby forested area and gang-raped her.
The girl reportedly fell ill post the incident but chose to remain silent initially due to threats from the accused persons and also feared public shame. However, she later confided in a school friend about the sexual assault, who then informed a school teacher on Thursday, following which the police was alerted.
The victim’s mother lodged a written police complaint at the Ausgram police station and all six were held following a spree of raids at night.
The accused have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act while the police are further investigating other details in the case.
The incident has triggered sharp political responses. "Ever since the Chief Minister has come into power, such incidents of rape are taking place time and again, and people are getting away scot-free. Strict action should be taken against the perpetrators of the crime,” said local BJP Mritunjoy Chandra while attacking West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The TMC responded, saying no one will be spared and that police are taking necessary action. “It doesn’t matter who says what. What matters is that Police are working to take strong action against the accused for this heinous crime irrespective of who they are,” said local TMC leader Debu Tudu.
