Minor raped, dropped off by roadside, naked body found in Hooghly; BJP calls WB most 'unsafe place'

In a shocking incident from West Bengal’s Hooghly district, a 15-year-old girl was allegedly assaulted and left unconscious on the roadside. The minor, whose torn clothes indicated a possible assault, was found in Haripal on Friday night. She had been returning home from her tuition class when she was reportedly picked up by unknown individuals in a car and later dumped in an unconscious state.

The incident comes at a time when West Bengal is already witnessing widespread protests over the brutal rape and murder of a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata. The tragic events have raised serious concerns about the safety of women in the state.
Bengal Police took to Twitter to address the incident, stating, "Investigation till now, including the medico-legal opinion, has revealed that there are no suspects at this stage. Request to respect the privacy of the girl child and her family. Stern legal action will be initiated against those spreading rumours."

Reference an alleged sexual assault of a minor girl at Haripal yesterday evening.
Investigation till now, including the medico legal opinion, has revealed that there are no suspects at this stage.
Request to respect the privacy of the girl child and her family. Stern legal…

— West Bengal Police (@WBPolice) September 7, 2024

However, the case quickly turned political, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accusing the police of attempting a cover-up. BJP IT Cell Chief Amit Malviya alleged that the hospital where the girl was admitted had been cordoned off, denying media access. Malviya claimed that local leaders from the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC) were attempting to suppress the incident.

"Mamata Banerjee's police have cordoned off the hospital, the media isn’t being given access, and local TMC leaders are swirling around to ensure the incident doesn’t get reported," Malviya said in a tweet.

As Bengal agitates the rape and murder of a young lady doctor, a 15 year old minor is raped and dropped off by the roadside, naked, in Haripal, Hoogly. This is part of Greater Kolkata region. The girl has been admitted to the local hospital.

Mamata Banerjee’s police has cordoned…

— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 6, 2024

He further demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, calling West Bengal the "most unsafe place for women." Malviya also criticized the state government for failing to set up fast-track courts to handle rape and POCSO cases, stating, "Mamata Banerjee has failed. She must step down immediately."

The incident, combined with the ongoing unrest over the doctor’s murder, has added to the growing concerns regarding women's safety in West Bengal.