60-year-old woman raped in Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, locals protest

A 60-year-old woman was allegedly raped in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district, while working alone in a garden, prompting protests demanding strict punishment for the accused. The incident led to tension in Jaynagar’s Bakultala area, and comes weeks after the alleged gang rape and murder of the 11-year-old girl in Baruipur.

According to police and family members, the woman had gone to work in a garden near her home on Sunday. The family alleged that a local youth took advantage of the situation, attacked her and assaulted her. The woman reportedly lost consciousness at the spot following the attack.

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When she did not return home for a long time, family members began searching for her. She was later found unconscious in the garden in the evening and was taken out by locals. The family informed Bakultala police station soon after.

Police reached the spot and shifted the woman to Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital in a critical condition. She is currently undergoing treatment at the hospital. Based on a written complaint lodged by the family, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A local youth has been detained and is being questioned in connection with the alleged incident. Officers said the investigation is underway and further action will be taken based on evidence.

The incident sparked protests in the area from Monday morning. Residents took to the streets demanding the immediate arrest and stringent punishment of those involved. They also called for better safety measures for women in the locality.

The case has revived memories of the Baruipur incident earlier this month, where an 11-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped and murdered. Her body was found stuffed in a sack in a pond.

Police arrested four persons in that case. One of the main accused, Prabhas Mondal, died during a police encounter. Police said Mondal had allegedly snatched a firearm during a crime scene reconstruction and fired at officers.

Police retaliated in self-defence, following which Mondal was killed. Senior officers said security has been tightened in parts of South 24 Parganas in the wake of the two incidents. They added that investigations in both cases are being monitored closely and that support is being provided to the victims’ families.

Police said they are committed to a time-bound probe and urged people to maintain calm while allowing the legal process to continue.