Minor sexually abused in Bengal, TMC leader says ‘matter should be resolved’: report

(MENAFN- Live Mint) Weeks after the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at RG Kar Hospital in Kolkata, a new case of sexual harassment of a minor has surfaced in the same state.

According to the Indian Express, a nine-year-old girl was sexually abused in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.

In addition, a local Trinamool Congress politician reportedly asked the victim's family to “settle the matter”.

“The accused is a resident of our village. I could not imagine that he could do such a thing. My nine-year-old daughter was coming from home to my shop. That was when he attacked her. I demand exemplary punishment for him,” the girl's father said, according to the Indian Express.

When the alleged sexual assault in the Rajbari area of ​​Rohanda panchayat was reported on Saturday evening, local residents started protesting outside the accused's house. The public outrage was fuelled by the involvement of a TMC leader, who is the husband of a panchayat member, and his alleged interference in the case, the report said.

Also read: Kolkata doctor rape case: As police defend crowd at RG Kar crime scene, IMA asks, 'When did he become an expert?'

As reported by PTI, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Sovandeb Chattopadhyay said the government has called a two-day special session of the West Bengal Parliament on September 2 to introduce and pass a bill providing for the death penalty for convicted rapists.

The bill will be put back for discussion and passage on Tuesday, the second day of the special session, said spokesman Biman Banerjee.

The move came a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerje announced that an amendment to existing laws to ensure the death penalty for convicted rapists will be passed in the state assembly next week.

Also read: ‘Hanging till death’: Mamata Banerjee says there is only one punishment for crimes like Kolkata doctor’s rape case

Earlier, at a rally marking the founding anniversary of the Trinamool Congress Chhatra Parishad, the Prime Minister had said that she would “sit here on dharna in front of the Raj Bhavan if the Governor delays his assent to the amended bill or forwards it to the President for ratification”.

The CM said women accompanied by “their brothers” would lead the proposed dharna.

Also read: Crimes against women are an unpardonable sin: PM Modi says 'tightening laws to prevent…' amid uproar over Kolkata, Badlapur cases

Meanwhile, several rallies and protests were held across India demanding justice for the aspiring doctor who was allegedly raped and murdered at RG Kar Hospital last month.

Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said his government would tighten laws to ensure strict punishment for crimes against women.

The Prime Minister described crimes against women as an unpardonable sin and said those guilty should not be spared.

(With contributions from agencies)

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