Sandeshkhali Case: TMC Lodges ECI Complaint Seeking Criminal Proceedings Against NCW Chief Rekha Sharma, BJP Leaders

The TMC filed a complaint with ECI, accusing NCW Chief Rekha Sharma and BJP leaders of forging documents, intimidating, and defrauding women in Sandeshkhali. The party alleges these actions are part of a BJP conspiracy to malign its image in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

File Photo: National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Rekha Sharma during a visit to Sandeshkhali, in North 24 Parganas district, Monday, Feb. 19, 2024. ( Image Source :PTI )

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) has filed a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) alleging criminal wrongdoing by National Commission for Women (NCW) Chief Rekha Sharma and several BJP leaders, including Piyali Das. The complaint accuses them of "serious offences of forgery, cheating, fraud, intimidation, and criminal conspiracy upon innocent women of Sandeshkhali."

West Bengal: TMC files complaint with ECI seeking criminal proceedings against NCW chief Rekha Sharma & BJP leaders including Piyali Das for "commission of serious offences of forgery, cheating, fraud, intimidation & criminal conspiracy upon innocent women of Sandeshkhali." pic.twitter.com/AhxsxbEG2b

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2024

The TMC's complaint draws attention to an interview, which purportedly reveals the involvement of NCW Chairperson Rekha Sharma and BJP leaders, including Piyali Das, in these illegal activities. According to the TMC's complaint, during the interview, a woman from Sandeshkhali detailed her ordeal, stating she was threatened and coerced into signing a blank paper by Rekha Sharma and Piyali Das. Subsequently, she discovered that her signature had been used to file a false rape complaint without her knowledge. Attempts to withdraw the complaint were met with further intimidation from local BJP members.

The TMC decried these actions as not only an abuse of power but also a violation of the rights and dignity of women.  

"The exploitation of women for political gain is a reprehensible tactic that undermines their rights and dignity. Such manipulation not only violates the rights of these women but also damages the integrity of democratic institutions. The revelation of a deep-rooted conspiracy involving NCW's Chairperson Smt. Rekha Sharma and BJP leaders coercing innocent, uneducated women of Sandeshkhali to sign blank papers for filing false rape complaints, is a stark betrayal of trust by the member(s) of NCW. Instead of serving as a beacon of hope and support for vulnerable women, the NCW has become complicit in exploiting their vulnerabilities for political gains of the BJP. Such conduct not only undermines the integrity of the NCW but also undermines the very foundation of justice and equality for women in our society. This illegal act represents a blatant disregard for the rights and dignity of women, as well as a gross betrayal of the trust placed in institutions such as the NCW," the letter read.

Furthermore, the TMC accuses the BJP of spreading false narratives to malign the image of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) during the 2024 general elections in West Bengal. "Furthermore, such illegal acts have caused terrors in the minds of general public during the ensuing general elections, 2024. The false narrative of Sandeshkhali incident spread by the BJP, holding the AITC responsible for this incident, is intended solely to malign the image of the AITC. Such engagement of the BJP is not only liable for penal action but also evidence of corrupt practices under the Representation of the People Act, 1951," the letter added.

The party asserts that these actions constitute serious criminal offences and calls upon the ECI to initiate criminal proceedings against the accused, restrain the BJP from threatening women in Sandeshkhali, and prevent further dissemination of false allegations.

70 Women Paid for Sandeshkhali Protest Participation, New Video Claims

A new video has emerged from the Sandeshkhali region, claiming that over 70 women were allegedly paid Rs 2,000 each to participate in protests against local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates, who were accused of sexual assault and land grabbing. The video features a man resembling Sandeshkhali mandal president Gangadhar Kayal, purportedly disclosing this information to a questioner. Kayal had previously appeared in another video where he dismissed the rape allegations as "staged".

In the latest 45-minute video, which surfaced on Saturday night, Kayal can be heard stating, "We will need Rs 2.5 lakh in cash for 50 booths where 30 per cent of protesters would be women. We have to keep the SC, ST and OBC people here in good humour by paying them satisfactorily. In any situation, women will form the front row confronting the police."

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In the 46 minute 7 second video, Gangadhar (Mandal President BJP) is heard telling how 72 women were paid.

Cash was also handed over to Shantanu.
The mandal president of #BJP is heard claiming in the video that Shantanu had… pic.twitter.com/y2fkJ94dCr

— তন্ময় l T͞anmoy l (@tanmoyofc) May 12, 2024

However, the authenticity of these videos remains unverified, as ABP did not independently confirm their validity. The BJP has vehemently denied the allegations, dubbing the videos as fake.

Responding to these allegations, TMC spokesperson Riju Dutta stated, "The truth of the BJP's fake narrative on Sandeshkhali is tumbling out of the closet", as quoted by news agency PTI. Dutta also mentioned the emergence of multiple purported videos of Sandeshkhali women in the past few days.

In an earlier video that surfaced on May 4, Kayal claimed that the protests were orchestrated by Leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari. Another video featured women who had filed rape complaints, alleging coercion by BJP leaders to sign blank papers and visit the police station.

Additionally, BJP candidate Rekha Patra denied any knowledge of the rape survivors who were reportedly taken to Delhi to meet the President.

In response, BJP state spokesperson Samik Bhattacharya accused the TMC of using fake videos to manipulate the narrative before the polls, asserting that all the released videos are fabricated.

The Sandeshkhali area, located on the borders of the Sundarbans, had witnessed widespread protests in February following allegations of sexual abuse and land grabbing against now-arrested TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his supporters.