Amid a growing political controversy over the alleged gangrape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, the state government on Monday maintained that it has imposed no restrictions on political parties seeking to meet the victim’s family.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said representatives of all political parties are free to visit the victim’s residence, provided their visits do not result in overcrowding or law-and-order concerns in the area.
“There is no blockade. I am open to suggestions from all political parties. Representatives of all political parties are free to visit. The only request is that they do not create large crowds at the site,” the Chief Minister said while responding to allegations that opposition leaders were being prevented from meeting the bereaved family.
The statement comes as political parties continue to trade charges over the handling of the shocking crime, which has triggered widespread outrage across the state.
Backing the Chief Minister’s remarks, state Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul rejected accusations that the administration was stopping political delegations from reaching the victim’s home.
She criticised the opposition’s claims and said there was no objection to any party visiting the family if the purpose was to offer support and solidarity.
The government’s position is being projected as a departure from what it describes as earlier practices in handling politically sensitive cases, with the administration emphasising that there has been no attempt to block political access.
According to sources in the state administration, all political parties are being allowed to visit the area, subject only to crowd-control measures aimed at maintaining public order.
Several political leaders have already met the victim’s family.
A delegation of the Trinamool Congress (TMC), comprising senior leaders including Dola Sen, Biman Banerjee and Pratima Mondal, visited the family to offer condolences and assess the situation.
Leaders from Left parties also met the victim’s relatives, underscoring the broad political attention the case has attracted.
The visits come amid increasing demands for justice and accountability following the recovery of the minor girl’s body, which sparked protests and public anger in the district.
The administration also dismissed allegations that former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had been placed under house arrest.
Officials said the police deployment outside her residence in Kolkata’s Kalighat area was part of routine security arrangements and not an attempt to restrict her movement.
According to government sources, Banerjee subsequently participated in a candlelight march without any restrictions, demonstrating that no curbs had been imposed on her activities.
Alongside its decision to allow political access, the government has stressed that it is pursuing the case with a zero-tolerance approach.
Chief Minister Adhikari has spoken directly with the victim’s father and assured him that the investigation will be conducted swiftly and fairly.
The government has promised all necessary assistance to the family and has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those responsible face the strongest possible legal consequences.
The Chief Minister is also expected to personally review the progress of the investigation at the office of the Superintendent of Police in Baruipur.
The government has indicated that accountability will extend beyond the accused if lapses are found in the handling of the case.
Adhikari warned that any police officer found negligent in responding to the initial missing-person complaint or in the early stages of the investigation would face strict disciplinary action, including dismissal from service.
The statement comes amid scrutiny over the sequence of events leading to the discovery of the victim’s body and questions about whether faster action could have prevented the tragedy.
The West Bengal government has said it will support the victim family’s demand for the harshest possible punishment.
Officials stated that the prosecution will seek capital punishment for the accused if the evidence established during the trial supports such a sentence.
The government has repeatedly emphasised that the case will be pursued aggressively and that no leniency will be shown towards those involved.
Police have so far arrested three individuals in connection with the case, including the alleged prime accused.
Investigators have invoked several stringent provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, along with relevant sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The charges reportedly include offences related to rape, gangrape, murder, criminal conspiracy, destruction of evidence, kidnapping and abduction of a minor, and aggravated penetrative sexual assault.
Officials said the application of these provisions reflects the seriousness with which the case is being treated and the government’s determination to build a strong prosecution.
According to preliminary findings from the post-mortem examination, the victim suffered severe physical assault before her death.
The autopsy reportedly revealed multiple blunt-force injuries to the head along with injuries to her private parts.
Investigators have also stated that water was found in the girl’s stomach, suggesting that drowning may have been the immediate cause of death.
Police officials said scientific and forensic evidence will play a crucial role in establishing the sequence of events and strengthening the prosecution’s case in court.
