New Delhi: Following reports of the death of a woman in Malda, amidst allegations of rape preceding her murder, Rekha Sharma, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women (NCW), asked the West Bengal Director General of Police to provide a comprehensive report within four days. She also emphasised the urgency of the situation, urging the swift arrest of the accused individuals involved in the case.
“NCW strongly condemns a worsening law situation in West Bengal, a new incident has been reported where a woman’s body was found in Malda, West Bengal, with suspicion of rape and murder. Urging immediate action, NCW Chairperson @sharmarekha has sent a letter to the DGP West Bengal demanding to invoke relevant provisions, ensure swift arrest of the accused, and submit a detailed report within 4 days,” the NCW said in a post on ‘X’.
NCW strongly condemns a worsening law situation in West Bengal, a new incident has been reported where a woman’s body found in Malda, West Bengal, with suspicion of rape and murder.
Urging immediate action, NCW Chairperson @sharmarekha has sent a letter to the DGP West Bengal…
— NCW (@NCWIndia) February 24, 2024
Be It Sandeshkhali Or Malda, No Woman Safe In Bengal: BJP’s Shehzad Poonawalla
The letter from the NCW’s chief follows claims made by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla regarding an alleged rape incident in Malda district, which has added to the ongoing controversy surrounding alleged horrific incidents in Sandeshkhali. “Be it Sandeshkhali or Malda, no woman safe in Bengal. In another case of brutal rape and murder, a class ninth student, a Tribal, was found lifeless with face smashed, in a brick kiln in Bhabuk village of Old Malda Assembly,” Poonawalla claimed in a post on X.
He further alleged that similar incidents have occurred in various districts, asserting that the perpetrators are being shielded.
“This is not the first such case in Malda. Recently a half-naked body of a 25-year-old was found after rape & murder,” the BJP leader mentioned in the post.”Many such instances taking place in Bengal but Shahjahan and rapists are being protected and patronised & those who speak up against it are arrested! This is TALIBANI MANSIKTA AND CULTURE (TMC),” the post added.
No woman safe in Bengal
Sandeshkhali to MaldaIn another case of brutal rape and murder, a class ninth student, a Tribal, was found lifeless with face smashed , in a brick kiln in Bhabuk village of Old Malda Assembly.
Report : https://t.co/8OY7xRtoW9This is not the first such… pic.twitter.com/bxCrXcnhsf
— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) February 24, 2024
The incident in Malda grabbed headlines, when in West Bengal’s Sandeshkhali, where a group of women demanded justice against alleged atrocities committed by Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his associates. Accusations of land-grabbing and sexual assault under coercion have been leveled against Shahjahan and his supporters by numerous women in Sandeshkhali. Despite efforts by both state police and central agencies, Shahjahan remains elusive, reported ANI.
During her visit to Sandeshkhali, NCW chief Rekha Sharma recently called for the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and urged her to visit the affected area. “She (Mamata Banerjee) should resign and come here without any post, only then will she understand the pain of the women here,” Sharma said speaking to reporters.
The TMC in turn accused Sharma of prioritizing her political allegiance to the BJP over the safety of women and children and demanded her immediate resignation