Baruipur (West Bengal) [India], July 7 (ANI): Rebel Trinamool Congress MP Saayoni Ghosh on Tuesday called for capital punishment in the Baruipur rape and murder case stating that the Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has assured a thorough probe into the matter.
The 12-year-old girl went missing on Saturday and was later found dead in a pond, with an alleged case of rape and murder triggering outrage and protests in the area. Three of the four accused have been arrested in the case, Adhikari said.
Speaking to reporters in Baruipur, Ghosh who is the MP from Jadavpur said, “I met with the entire family. It is not your rape versus my rape. When someone loses their life, a child dies, we too feel the pain. We expect this from our Chief Minister- an investigation, a truthful investigation, a thorough investigation. Those guilty should receive the harshest punishment. You all know that the Chief Minister has assured that we will delve into this matter, and we will go to the end. And while it may seem like two, three, or four people are involved, this is a huge racket. We have to ensure the safety and security of our daughters in the future.”
“A new government has just come into power; it is a two-month-old government. No party wants this, no Chief Minister wants rape, neither the Chief Minister of the BJP, nor the Chief Minister of the Trinamool, nor the Chief Minister of the Congress. But if such an incident happens, the most important thing is how it is handled, so our Chief Minister should handle it well, and all those involved in it should get the harshest punishment, capital punishment,” the rebel TMC leader said.
Another rebel TMC MP, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, also condemned the incident and said, “It is deeply tragic. We condemn it, demand action, and want to stand and fight alongside this family. This is my fight. I strongly demand that the perpetrator be punished.”
The incident has ignited a political row between the former CM Mamata Banerjee-led TMC and the BJP government.
Condemning the incident, BJP leader Keya Ghosh accused Mamata Banerjee of acting like “political vultures” and inciting the public.
Keya Ghosh said, “The incident that has happened is very painful, very tragic. We also need to see what the West Bengal government has done. They arrested the main accused within 24 hours. Two have been produced in court, and another one will be produced today. Mamata Banerjee or the opposition are acting like political vultures. Mamata Banerjee and the Trinamool Congress are playing the ‘communal card.’ This is a very shameful thing. Because they know that this is their core vote bank. The victim’s father spoke to the Chief Minister on the day of the incident, and he is also assured about what the Chief Minister has said to him. Today, the Chief Minister is going to Baruipur herself, and Mamata Banerjee is only inciting people.”
West Bengal Minister Agnimitra Paul said that the state government will not tolerate the atrocities against women.
Paul said, “For 15 years and before that 35 years, we have seen how atrocities have been committed. Our government will not tolerate it. The Baruipur incident is tragic and condemnable. An 11-year-old girl was on her way to a friend’s house for a birthday party. 5 youths harassed her, and the way she was murdered. The way the girl was tortured and killed, we will tell the Chief Minister that they should get the same suffering.”
Chairman and Trustee of the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation (SPMRF) and BJP leader Anirban Ganguly, said that the CM spoke to the family of the victim and the government has made a firm resolve for women’s safety in the state.
Ganguly said, “This is a deeply tragic incident. West Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari immediately ordered action and the formation of an SIT. The investigation is proceeding vigorously with arrests already made. The CM has already spoken to the victim’s family and given a firm assurance that strict and severe action will be taken. Furthermore, the CM is visiting the site personally to assess the ground reality and meet the family members; the investigation will proceed in a time-bound manner to ensure the strictest punishment.”
“Our government had expressed a firm resolve regarding women’s safety in our manifesto, a commitment we have been actively fulfilling over the past two months through initiatives like women’s empowerment and the creation of safety squads. Amidst these ongoing efforts, the investigation being conducted by the SIT will soon bring the truth to light,” he added.
However, TMC MP Saugata Roy hit back, questioning the BJP government over its promise of women’s safety. He also alleged that Mamata Banerjee was not allowed to meet the victim’s family.
Saugata Roy told ANI, “The situation in Bengal is bad. A girl is raped and murdered, yet it takes the police three hours to arrive. Suvendu Adhikari had spoken of ‘Fear out, Trust in’–is this an example of that? Mamata Banerjee wanted to visit the site, but her residence was surrounded, and central forces were deployed there. Mamata Banerjee staged a protest by holding a candlelight march.”
Meanwhile, the Calcutta High Court has granted permission for former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s rally in the state’s capital on Wednesday over the Baruipur rape and murder case, advocate and TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee said.
Speaking to reporters, Kalyan Banerjee informed that the student and youth wings of the TMC will carry out the procession from Ballygunge Phari to the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Road crossing. (ANI)
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