Teen girl ‘gangraped’ in abandoned factory in West Bengal, suspected political links to accused

A teenage girl was allegedly gangraped at an abandoned factory in Hooghly district of West Bengal, 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 under way.

Police have slapped charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the case, he said.

Suspected links to Trinamool

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 under way to trace them. A Test Identification (TI) parade will be conducted on Saturday as part of the investigation. We do not know whether any of the arrested accused has any political connection or not,” the IPS officer told PTI.

“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,” he further said.

Later, a local Trinamool Congress leader, who identified himself as Nitai Dasgupta, said 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,” Mr. 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.”

Unfortunate: BJP

When contacted, BJP lawmaker Agnimitra Paul lashed out at the Trinamool Congress 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’s a shame that we are having a woman Chief Minister and yet the women are not secure here,” the MLA said.

“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 the women will definitely be addressed,” Ms. Paul told PTI.