The West Bengal Police have filed a criminal case after an old video showed a group of men thrashing a woman at a club in Kamarhati, North 24 Parganas went viral. The disturbing video shows several men holding the woman by her hands and legs, swinging her in the air while others beat her relentlessly with sticks. The woman’s screams for help were ignored as the men continued their assault.
The Barrackpore Police took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform about a suo motu criminal case. “BKP PC has taken note of an old video now in circulation on social media involving assault on a girl. A suo motu criminal case has been started. All legal actions against persons seen in video (2 among them are already in custody) are being taken,” the post read.
(Trigger warning: This video contains distressing visuals of violence. Viewer discretion is advised.)
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) shared the video on X, comparing claiming that the incident involved Jayanta Singh, allegedly a close aide of Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA Madan Mitra. It also likened Bengal’s ruling party to the Taliban.
Union Minister of State and Bengal BJP President Dr. Sukanta Majumdar slammed the TMC government saying, "Absolutely appalled by the emerging video from Taltala Club, Kamarhati, showing Jayanta Singh, a close associate of TMC MLA Madan Mitra, brutally attacking a girl. This heinous act under a government that claims to champion women's rights is a disgrace to humanity."
BJP National Spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla likened the incident to Taliban floggings in Afghanistan as he wrote, "Another Horrific Talibani video from Bengal after Chopra Talibani flogging by Tajmul... TMC means Talibani Mujhe Chahiye. A close associate of TMC MLA is thrashing a girl with his gang."
Poonawalla criticised the silence of various political leaders and organisations, stating, “Will leader of hypocrisy Rahul Gandhi say a word or visit? What about INDI ALLIANCE NETAS? Sandeshkhali - silent, Chopra - silent, Post poll rapes - silent, Mahua Moitra tweet - silent, Swati Maliwal - silent. TMC LEADERS HAVE THEMSELVES CONFIRMED THE VIDEO... THEIR DEFENCE IS THAT IT’S A FEW WEEKS/MONTHS OLD! Is that even a defence? It means TMC as usual suppressed the video using threats...”
West Bengal BJP's official X handle also hit out at the Mamata Banerjee-led government, "Emerging video from Taltala Club, Kamarhati: Shocking reports allege Jayanta Singh, a close associate of TMC MLA Madan Mitra, violently attacked a defenseless girl. This barbaric act under a government claiming to champion women's rights is a disgraceful stain on humanity. Immediate investigation and justice are non-negotiable."
Speaking to news agency PTI, TMC leader Madan Mitra disassociated himself from the incident, "This video was made before 2021. At that time, I was not MLA. I cannot control the situation by not being an MLA. Jayanta Singh's group is among the two groups in Ariadaha area. Due to their rivalry, bombs, revolvers and arms have been used and this is well known to the police."
"This video where a lady is being beaten is inhuman and everybody should shout against it," he remarked.
While the BJP has claimed that a person close to the local TMC MLA was behind torturing the girl, the TMC has demanded that the video be examined to find out its veracity.
According to PTI, police sources said that the video was at least a couple of years old.
Senior TMC leader Santanu Sen has sought a forensic test of the clip while claiming that it was a ploy of the BJP to tarnish the image of West Bengal, PTI reported.
West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose Seeks Report On Chopra Flogging Incident
The fresh controversy comes after West Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose on Monday urged Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to submit a report on the recent public flogging incident in Uttar Dinajpur district's Chopra. The Governor, exercising his authority under Article 167 of the Constitution, has requested details on the steps taken regarding the incident and the functioning of kangaroo courts with ineffective police intervention, news agency PTI reported.
The Governor also demanded information on the actions taken against Kolkata Police Commissioner Vineet Goyal and DCP Indira Mukherjee for allegedly spreading misinformation that defamed his office.
The public flogging of a couple in Chopra, the video of which went viral last week, sparked widespread outrage. The man seen in the video beating the couple with a bamboo stick was identified as Tajmul, also known as 'JCB', purportedly a TMC leader from the Chopra area. He was subsequently arrested and sent to police custody.
Earlier this month, Governor Bose had communicated with CM Banerjee, urging her to take appropriate punitive action against Goyal and Mukherjee in accordance with the law.