Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shibu Prasad Hazra, who had been missing following allegations of systemic rape and sexual assault by women in Sandeshkhali, was apprehended on Saturday, February 17. Hazra, serving as the TMC Block President, was implicated in the initial complaints alongside two others, Uttam Sardar and the primary accused, Sheikh Shajahan. He was seized from a hideout within Sandeshkhali and is slated to appear before a local court on Sunday, facing charges of rape and other offences under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Authorities revealed that Hazra and another TMC member stand accused of rape and sexual abuse by women in Sandeshkhali, marking the second significant arrest in the ongoing investigation. Earlier, Uttam Sardar had been detained by the West Bengal Police, while the primary accused, Sheikh Shajahan, remains at large. To date, a total of 18 individuals have been apprehended in connection with the Sandeshkhali case, encompassing allegations of land grabbing, institutional rape, and sexual assault, among others.
Following a survivor’s deposition before a magistrate under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the scope of charges has been broadened to include Sections 376D (gangrape) and 307 (attempt to murder).
During a press briefing on Saturday, West Bengal Director General of Police Rajeev Kumar disclosed the inclusion of rape charges in the First Information Report (FIR). Despite extensive interactions with women in the community, no formal complaints of rape had been lodged until a woman provided a statement before a magistrate, prompting the amendment of the FIR.
Meanwhile, the prime accused, Sheikh Shajahan, remains a fugitive, having also been implicated in a violent attack on Enforcement Directorate personnel in Sandeshkhali. Responding to criticism from opposition quarters, State Police DG Rajeev Kumar redirected blame towards the Enforcement Directorate, querying the agency’s failure to apprehend Shajahan post-attack. Kumar alleged that the ED’s interference had impeded the state police investigation.
Furthermore, the DG clarified that no complaints had been received from Sandeshkhali before February 8, emphasising the ongoing efforts to address all allegations and urging women in Sandeshkhali to approach authorities without fear to voice their concerns.
Tensions have reached a boiling point in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, following months of unrest fueled by accusations of land usurpation and systemic sexual assault allegedly orchestrated by Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates.
Since January, local women have been at the forefront of protests, demanding the immediate arrest of Shahjahan and his cohorts. Their grievances include claims of forcible land acquisition, deliberate inundation of fields with saltwater, and pervasive institutionalised sexual harassment, with allegations of women being subjected to repeated assaults until the perpetrators are satisfied.
The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), following a visit to Sandeshkhali, submitted a damning report on Friday, February 16, advocating for the imposition of President’s rule in the state due to rampant lawlessness. NCSC Chairperson Arun Halder, who met with President Droupadi Murmu, disclosed that the President pledged to address the matter promptly. However, the NCSC delegation faced hostility from local law enforcement personnel upon attempting to meet with sexual assault survivors, an incident Halder condemned, citing collusion between criminals and the state government.
Echoing concerns, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) delegation dispatched by party chief JP Nadda to investigate the situation in Sandeshkhali was obstructed by West Bengal police on Friday. Additionally, a Congress delegation is scheduled to visit the region on Saturday to assess the situation firsthand.
Earlier in the week, on Wednesday, February 14, West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose submitted a detailed report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, attributing blame to the state police for colluding with “rowdy elements” in Sandeshkhali. Governor Bose, who engaged with protesting women during a visit to the affected area on Monday, echoed their demand for the establishment of either a Special Task Force or a Special Investigation Team to probe allegations of sexual harassment involving TMC leaders.
The escalating turmoil in Sandeshkhali underscores the urgent need for decisive action to address the multifaceted crisis gripping the region, as demands for justice and accountability resonate amid growing calls for intervention at the highest levels of government.
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