Jaynagar Rape-Murder Case: CM Mamata Asks Police To Ensure Death Penalty In 3 Months, Decries ‘Media Trial’

Jaynagar Rape-Murder Case: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee ordered police to register a POCSO case and ensure capital punishment for the culprits within three months. She expressed concerns about "media trials"

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday ordered the police to register the alleged rape-murder case of a 10-year-old girl in the South 24 Parganas district under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, insisting that the culprits face capital punishment within three months. Expressing her concerns over “media trials” in rape cases, she urged that they should cease, as they could obstruct investigations. The body of the young girl was found in Kultuli on Saturday, leading to local unrest where residents set fire to a police outpost and vandalised vehicles, according to a senior officer.

Speaking at the Kolkata Police Body Guard Lines while virtually inaugurating several Durga Pujas, Banerjee stated, “I want the police to register the Kultuli case under the POCSO Act and ensure that the culprits get capital punishment within three months... Crime is crime; there is no religion or caste. Strong action should be taken against the criminals”, news agency PTI reported.

According to ABP Ananda, Mamata Banerjee also said, "Whenever one or two incidents occur in Bengal, there is a lot of shouting and uproar. It should happen, it’s their right. But when something happens elsewhere, everyone sits silently with their mouths sealed. No one protests. Does anyone willingly commit such incidents? Keep in mind that today AI has emerged. You may see me, hear my voice, but it could be fake. Don’t those making videos about the victim know that this shouldn’t be done? It could impact the investigation."

"Crime has no caste, religion, or colour. I want the Kultuli incident resolved within three months. The police will file the case under POCSO in court and take action within three months. To those protesting on the streets, I say do it more, it strengthens us. Protests are our democratic right. But also spread awareness that harmful videos on YouTube are influencing children negatively and increasing bad tendencies among them," she remarked.

Jaynagar Rape-Murder Case: Kolkata High Court Orders Post-Mortem Of Victim

Meanwhile, the Kolkata High Court has ordered a post-mortem of the victim in the Jaynagar case at Kalyani AIIMS, ABP Ananda reported. Tomorrow, the post-mortem will be conducted at Kalyani AIIMS in the presence of the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM). The High Court has also directed that the case be filed under the POCSO Act.

Today, the High Court stated, "If there are no facilities at Kalyani AIIMS, the post-mortem will be conducted at Kalyani JNM Hospital. Doctors from Kalyani AIIMS will go to JNM Hospital to conduct the post-mortem. No doctors or staff from Kalyani JNM Hospital will participate in the post-mortem process." The court has ordered the body, along with all documents, to be handed over to the Superintendent of Kalyani AIIMS. The court has also instructed that the body reach Kalyani by 11:45 AM tomorrow.

Jaynagar Rape-Murder Case: Tensions Highten In South 24 Parganas Amid Protests

Tensions heightened in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district following the discovery of the girl's body, as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) initiated protests against the alleged rape and murder. BJP President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, alongside party leaders, met with the family of the victim and criticised the state government's response to the case.

Members of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) also arrived in South 24 Parganas' Jaynagar earlier today to meet the family members of the 10-year-old girl.

Majumdar accused the police of suppressing democratic agitation, stating, “Police are trying to suppress a democratic agitation. And this has brought democracy in the state to an end. If only 10% of this police force had tried to find this minor girl two days ago and registered an FIR, things would have been different, and neither of us would have been here.”

BJP leader Agnimitra Paul echoed these sentiments during the protest, condemning the police's inaction when the girl initially went missing. “We have come here to protest, and they have put up three lines of barricades. We haven't come here to vandalise the police station but to hold talks. Why did the police not file an FIR when two days ago, the girl went missing? Her parents were made to go from one police station to another... Had action been taken, the girl would have been alive,” Paul remarked.

West Bengal Governor C. V. Ananda Bose also criticised the state government, linking the rise in rape cases to delayed actions in previous incidents. He commented, “The cases of rape are increasing because of the absence of timely action. The inept handling of the rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College is acting as a fillip to similar gruesome incidents in the state. The West Bengal government should realise that a stitch in time saves nine.”

In the wake of the protests, locals demanded justice, with villager Ganesh Dolui stating, “We will continue with our agitation till all those accused in the rape and murder of our minor daughter are arrested and convicted. We also demand action against those who responded to the complaint late, which might have resulted in her death.”

During the unrest, TMC MLA Ganesh Mondal faced hostility from villagers when he attempted to pacify the crowd. He later acknowledged their anger but urged restraint, saying, “I have requested the police to investigate the matter thoroughly and frame charges against the accused.” Similarly, TMC MP Pratima Mondal was met with chants of “go back” from some residents when she visited Padmerhat Rural Hospital, where the girl's body was taken for autopsy.

Police have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that action will be taken against those involved in the destruction of property at the police outpost. Superintendent of Police Palash Chandra Dhali stated, “After lodging the complaint at 9 pm on Friday, police swung into action and arrested an accused this morning after an initial probe. We are with the family of the deceased, and those involved in the destruction of all important documents will be identified and prosecuted.”

This incident continues to evoke strong public sentiment, highlighting ongoing concerns regarding safety and the promptness of law enforcement in West Bengal.