In a deeply disturbing incident that has triggered widespread outrage across West Bengal’s Medinipur districts, Mohammad Saud Khan, the Upapradhan (Deputy Chief) of the Trinamool Congress (TMC)-ruled Khejuri-II Gram Panchayat, has been arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor Class 10 student under the pretext of giving her extra coaching.
According to police sources and the written complaint filed by the victim’s family, the girl—who had been attending tuition conducted by the accused—was reportedly lured and detained alone during a coaching session in the Pingla police station area of Paschim Medinipur on June 18. While the other students were dismissed, the accused allegedly forced the girl to stay back for “additional lessons.” It was during this time that Khan reportedly made unsolicited advances, physically assaulted the student, and attempted to overpower her.
Despite the traumatic circumstances, the student managed to escape from his clutches and return home, where she immediately informed her family. The family, in turn, filed a written complaint at the Khejuri police station, prompting the local law enforcement to initiate a swift investigation. The preliminary inquiry corroborated the victim’s statement, leading to Saud Khan’s arrest on Wednesday evening.
The accused, a prominent local figure who served as both a private tutor and panchayat functionary, is expected to be produced before a district magistrate court on June 19. Police sources confirmed that the charges include Sections under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, making the case a matter of serious legal gravity.
News of the incident spread rapidly across both Purba and Paschim Medinipur, with residents of the girl’s village and neighbouring areas staging a protest outside the local gram panchayat office. Slogans demanding the strictest punishment for Saud Khan and questioning the TMC’s judgment in appointing him to a leadership position were heard for hours.
Angry villagers, including women and elderly residents, gathered to express their disgust and sorrow, with many stating that this was not an isolated issue but a sign of increasing moral degradation among political functionaries. “How can someone entrusted with public welfare and education stoop to such inhumanity?” asked a local school teacher at the protest site.
The incident has sent shockwaves through the Trinamool Congress, which is already grappling with allegations of corruption and lawlessness at the grassroots level in several districts. A senior district police officer confirmed to the press: “A case has been registered under relevant sections of the IPC and POCSO Act. The accused is in custody and will be produced in court. Further forensic and medical investigations are being conducted as part of the due process.”
The case has now been transferred to the District Child Protection Unit and the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to ensure that the survivor receives medical, psychological, and legal assistance.
