Minor girl allegedly gang-raped at abandoned factory in Hooghly
A minor girl was allegedly gang-raped at an abandoned factory in Hooghly district of West Bengal. Police have arrested two accused, including a local youth leader, and launched a search for others involved in the incident
Kolkata: A girl was allegedly gang-raped at an abandoned factory in Hooghly district, a senior police officer said on Saturday.
Two people have been arrested in connection with the incident, the officer said.
The 16-year-old girl had entered the closed Hindmotor factory premises on Thursday evening with a friend.
“It is alleged that the accused, along with their associates, sexually assaulted the minor inside the premises,” the officer said.
“Statements of the arrested accused are being recorded, and the case is being investigated from all angles,” he said, adding that further investigation is underway.
Police have slapped charges under the POCSO Act in the case, he said.
One of the arrested accused has been identified as Dipankar Adhikari, also known as Sonai, reportedly a Trinamool Congress youth leader in the locality, he said.
The other person arrested is the girl’s alleged boyfriend, who is also a minor, the officer said.
“We are looking for two more associates of the accused. They are on the run, and search operations are underway to trace them. A Test Identification (TI) parade will be conducted on Saturday as part of the investigation,” the officer told PTI.
“We do not know whether any of the arrested accused has any political connection or not,” he added.
“The girl is 16.5 years old, while her friend is 17 years old. He has been sent to the Juvenile Board. We have received her medical report, and the necessary probe is on,” the IPS officer told PTI.
Later, a local Trinamool Congress leader, who identified himself as Nitai Dasgupta, said that the arrested accused was with their party.
“This person, if found guilty, should be punished. I would demand that the party’s highest authority remove him from the party,” Dasgupta said.
Another party leader in the district, Ajay Shankar, said, “We do not support any such criminal activity. If found guilty, then he must be punished.”
When contacted, BJP leader and MLA Agnimitra Paul lashed out at the TMC government and demanded strict action against the culprits.
“This is an unfortunate incident. But we have got used to such criminal activities in Bengal. It is a shame that we are having a woman chief minister and yet women are not secure here.
“The people of Bengal need an immediate change in the regime, and we are hopeful that once the BJP forms a government after the ensuing elections, the safety and security of women will definitely be addressed,” Paul told PTI.