In a deeply troubling incident that has shaken the Banshihari area in West Bengal, Priyanath Rajbanshi, the son of a prominent leader from the state's ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), has been arrested. On Thursday, August 29th, authorities took action against Priyanath following charges of rape and attempted murder targeting an 13-year-old minor tribal girl. This horrific event occurred under the jurisdiction of the Gangarampur subdivision in the South Dinajpur district, a locality now gripped by fear and outrage.

The assailant, identified as the offspring of Naresh Rajbanshi, a notable booth president within the TMC, comes from a family that holds considerable influence within the regional political landscape. This background has rendered the Rajbanshi family among the most powerful in the area, with multiple members actively involved in the TMC. The gravity of this incident compelled the Mamata-led government to prompt a swift police response following a public uproar that demanded justice for the victim.

The sequence of the crime unfolded on the night of Wednesday, August 28, 2024, when Priyanath forcefully entered the home of the young minor tribal girl. He proceeded to commit the rape and was allegedly attempting to murder her by strangulation. The brutal attack was only interrupted when the victim's mother arrived at the scene, causing the assailant to flee. The violence inflicted upon the minor girl was severe, with significant injuries noted around her neck. She is currently receiving medical attention at the Gangarampur Super Specialty Hospital, where she remains in a critical condition.

Local residents are now living in a state of heightened anxiety and anger over the incident. The involvement of a high-profile political family has led to a tense atmosphere, with many feeling intimidated and fearful of speaking out. The brutal nature of the attack, detailed by the police, indicated that Priyanath used a drawstring in his attempt to strangle the minor girl to death, leaving her with grave injuries and trauma.

On a chilling Wednesday night that disturbed the quiet community in Banshihari, the scenario at the victim's household was as ordinary as any other until horror struck after midnight. The victim's mother, who was asleep on the verandah of their house, was abruptly awakened by her daughter's desperate cries for help.

“It was past midnight when I heard my daughter shrieking for help. As I walked in, somebody shoved me and ran away. I found my daughter lying on the ground with torn clothes. She was raped. Also, a rope was tied to her neck as the person who tortured my daughter tried to strangulate her,” recounted the distraught mother.

Reacting swiftly to her daughter's screams, the mother's alert prompted immediate community action. Neighbors, disturbed by the noise, quickly came to assist, rushing to see what had occurred. They found the young minor girl in a dire state and without hesitation, transported her to a nearby hospital where she remains under critical care. She is a fifth-standard student whose life has been irrevocably altered by this brutal act.

The local police were promptly informed by the villagers about the atrocity, leading to an urgent response from the authorities. A police team from the local station was quick to arrive at the crime scene, initiating a thorough investigation into the heinous crime. Priyanath Rajbanshi, identified as the perpetrator, was apprehended shortly after.

Further details emerged on Thursday, August 29th, as law enforcement intensified their efforts. A specialized team led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Indrajit Sarkar and Inspector in Charge (IC) Asim Gope meticulously combed through the crime scene. During their investigation, they discovered crucial pieces of evidence: the pants and shoes of the accused, which he had abandoned in his haste to flee the scene. These items were recovered, adding substantial evidence to the case against him.

Priyanath Rajbanshi was arrested while attempting to escape, marking a significant breakthrough in the case. "We need to interrogate the accused to gather more information. The medical examination will be done," stated one of the officers involved in the case.

The small community of Banshihari is currently enveloped in a pall of fear and unrest following a horrifying incident that has left an 13-year-old minor girl in critical condition. She is presently receiving care at the Gangarampur Super Specialty Hospital, where medical professionals are battling to stabilize her condition after the brutal assault.

Amidst the tense atmosphere, local villagers have been vocal about their demands for justice and accountability. Deepti Rajbanshi, a resident of the area, expressed the community's outrage and determination to see justice served. "We want justice. The man has committed similar crimes before. We want strict punishment for the accused," she stated firmly. Her words reflect a community pushed to the brink of taking matters into their own hands if the legal system fails them once more. "If the police do not take any action, we will take the law into our own hands," she cautioned, underscoring the gravity of their resolve.

The history of the accused, Priyanath Rajbanshi, in such criminal activities is well-known among the locals. He has been implicated in at least three previous incidents of sexual violence, which has only fueled the current anger and call for stringent legal measures. Deepti Rajbanshi reiterated her stance, pointing out the repetitive nature of Priyanath's crimes and the perceived leniency that has allowed him to evade severe repercussions due to his political affiliations. She highlighted a desperate plea for a change this time around, demanding the severest of penalties to prevent any future atrocities.

Adding to the chorus of concern, another villager, Shibnath Pandey, questioned the effectiveness of government protections for girls, particularly those from tribal backgrounds. "Girls have no protection. The government says they are protecting the tribal community. But where is the protection?" he asked, voicing a deep-seated skepticism about the government's claims versus the harsh realities faced by the community. He noted that such violent incidents are not isolated but rather a disturbing trend that seems to be worsening.

The horrific incident has catalyzed a political reaction, drawing significant attention from major political figures and parties across the state. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), in particular, has been quick to respond to the situation, with a delegation of party leaders visiting the village to assess the situation and meet with the affected community.

Sukanta Majumdar, the state BJP president and Member of Parliament from the Balurghat seat in South Dinajpur, has been especially vocal in his condemnation of the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the state government's handling of the crisis. Majumdar took to social media to express his dismay and anger at the continuous violence against women in the state. “@MamataOfficial, how many more such horrors must Bengal’s daughters endure? The people are crying out for justice, yet all they receive is indifference and threats from your government. Instead of ensuring the safety of our children, you continue to ignore the voices of the oppressed. How long will you turn a blind eye to the suffering of the innocent?" Majumdar articulated his frustration and the public sentiment in a poignant social media post. He further questioned the ongoing crisis's end, emphasizing the increasing public demand for accountability and change. "The streets are filled with outrage, and the cries for justice grow louder each day. When will this stop? How many more lives will be shattered before you take responsibility and resign? Bengal demands better,” he posted on X, a popular social media platform.

On the other side, the district leaders of the Trinamool Congress have offered a more reserved response. Subhash Chaki, a vice-president of the Trinamool in the district, addressed the incident with a statement reflecting the party's stance on the involvement of one of its members in such a grave crime. “The accused’s family might be a supporter of our party or one of them can even be an office bearer at the local level. But that doesn’t mean the party will stand in his support. The law will take its course and the accused will get exemplary punishment if he was involved in the crime,” said Chaki, implying a commitment to justice irrespective of the political affiliations of the accused.

West Bengal: Son of TMC Leader Abducts and Rapes a Hindu minor Girl in Nadia, Arrested

In a similarly distressing incident that unfolded a few months prior in Shantipur, Nadia district of West Bengal, another young minor girl fell victim to a heinous crime that mirrors the brutalities emerging from the region. This case involved the abduction and rape of an 15-year-old minor girl, which led to immediate police action resulting in the arrest of the accused.

The local BJP leadership identified the perpetrator as Pintu Biswas, the son of Arjun Biswas, a notable figure within the Trinamool Congress. The incident shockingly took place late at night, adding a grim layer to the tragedy. The young victim, who tragically lost her father at a tender age, was under the care of her uncle, Ramesh Biswas. Ramesh, a BJP Booth President for booth #21 at Arabandi GP, provided a harrowing account of the events that unfolded during the night of Holi.

According to detailed reports, the minor girl was at home alone when the ordeal began. Arjun Biswas allegedly entered her residence uninvited, forcibly took her to a secluded spot, and subjected her to unimaginable cruelty. "The accused, Arjun Biswas, entered the house and dragged her to a lonely place. There, the accused forced the girl to drink alcohol. Then, the accused allegedly raped the girl. After the brutal act, the accused left the girl there, in an unconscious situation," reported her uncle, depicting the severity of the assault.

Further elaborating on the night's events, Ramesh Biswas spoke to media personnel, stating, "The victim was alone at the residence while the accused abducted her, took her to a nearby cattle-shed and raped her there." This statement underscores the vulnerability of the minor girl and the premeditated nature of the attack by the accused.

The aftermath of the attack left the minor girl in a dire state; she was hospitalized in critical condition and suffering from severe injuries. "The victim was later hospitalised in critical condition and bleeding profusely," added Ramesh, highlighting the physical consequences of the assault. The legal proceedings began swiftly after the victim's mother courageously filed a complaint against the accused, leading to his arrest.

Jagannath Sarkar, the sitting BJP Lok Sabha member from Ranaghat, made a pointed statement to the media, suggesting a political motive behind the attack due to the victim's familial ties with the BJP. "We demand the arrest of not only the accused but also the members of his family, since the entire event was pre-planned,” Sarkar emphatically stated. This call for broader accountability highlights the perceived premeditation behind the crime and the serious implications it has for the safety of political affiliates in the region.

Further intensifying the political discourse, Amit Malviya, BJP’s Information Technology cell chief and the party’s co-incharge for West Bengal, took to social media to voice a fierce critique of the Trinamool Congress and the state leadership under Mamata Banerjee. “TMC is known for sheltering and harbouring sexual predators. Mamata Banerjee has not only failed the women of #Sandeshkhali but Bengal. She has, almost always, provided protection to the perpetrators, including Sheikh Shahjahan,” Malviya declared in a post on X. His statement underscores a broader accusation of systemic failure and alleged protectionism within the state's ruling party, painting a grim picture of the political landscape's effect on justice and safety.

In contrast, Trinamool Congress's response, articulated by Santipur block president Kanai Debnath, took a defensive stance, accusing the BJP of politicizing the incident. Debnath presented an alternative narrative, suggesting a consensual relationship between the victim and the accused. “Both of them had been in a relationship for quite some time. Now there is an attempt to frame him because he is associated with Trinamool Congress,” he argued. This counterclaim introduces a complex layer to the discourse, implying that the allegations might be influenced by political rivalries rather than just the facts of the case.

This incident not only mirrors the distressing patterns seen in other cases within the district, such as the Hanskhali case where a Class 9 student was raped, but also highlights the deeply intertwined nature of politics and community safety.

In a public and poignant outcry, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari took to social media to express his stern disapproval of the Mamata Banerjee-led government's handling of law and order, particularly concerning the safety of women in West Bengal.

Suvendu Adhikari’s statement on the social media platform 'X' was unreservedly critical, drawing a connection between multiple distressing incidents across the state to highlight a broader systemic issue. “Be it Sandeshkhali, Shantipur, Hanskhali or Kaliyaganj; sexual crimes perpetrated by TMC Leaders and their relatives proves that the culprits are emboldened by the non existent Law and Order Situation in the State and the free hand extended to the TMC Leaders by the Mamata Police. These sexual predators don’t have any fear of the Law or can’t even imagine that they will be taken to task by the Police, that’s why they keep repeating such sexual offence across the State,” Adhikari wrote. This damning critique encapsulates a severe indictment of the state leadership and law enforcement agencies, accusing them of failing to curb the menace of sexual violence and even facilitating a culture of impunity.

Adhikari also shared critical evidence online, including a copy of the FIR and a photo of the accused, which not only substantiated his claims but also underscored the seriousness with which he approached this advocacy. This action is indicative of a broader political strategy to hold the ruling party accountable and to highlight the urgent need for reform in how sexual assault cases are handled in the state.

The aftermath of the incident saw the local police taking swift action, perhaps a response to the intense public scrutiny and political pressure. A complaint was promptly filed at the Shantipur Police Station, leading to the immediate launch of an investigation and the arrest of the accused. This quick response, while indicative of the police’s capability to act decisively, also raises questions about the consistency of such actions across similar cases, especially those involving politically influential figures.