Hanskhali gang rape: Three get life, prison terms to 6 others

The Ranaghat Additional District Judge (ADJ) court on Tuesday sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the gang rape and death of a 14-year-old girl in Hanskhali in April 2022, while handing varied prison terms to six others, including political figures linked to the main perpetrator.

Amid tight security, all nine convicts were produced before Additional District Judge Soumen Gupta, who pronounced the verdict. Brojogopal alias Sohel Gayali, Ranjit Mallick, and Prabhakar Poddar, the three prime accused, were sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 20 years of rigorous jail term under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. Sohel Gayali, the son of local Trinamul Congress leader Samarendra Gayali, was the central figure in the crime.

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The court also sentenced Samarendra Gayali, along with Deepta Gayali and Piyushkanti Bhakta, to five years for intimidating the victim’s family and shielding the perpetrators. Angshuman Bagchi received three years for destroying evidence. Two other convicts – Surjit Roy and Akash Barui – were released on Rs 50,000 bail bonds; one had been a minor at the time, while the other would remain under observation for a year before potential release.

The horror unfolded on 4 April, 2022, when the girl was lured to a birthday party organised for Sohel Gayali. The prosecution alleged that she was intoxicated and sexually assaulted by the accused. Returning home in a critical state, she bled profusely and died the next morning. The family alleged that Sohel Gayali, his father, and their associates intimidated them, preventing medical aid and police reporting. The victim’s body was allegedly cremated in secrecy at a nearby crematorium, sparking outrage.

The case drew immediate judicial scrutiny. Initially investigated by local police, the matter was later handed over to the CBI on orders of a Calcutta High Court Division Bench, which stressed the need for an independent probe to ensure fairness, particularly due to the political connections of the accused.

Raja Banerjee, counsel for the accused, said: “There are huge lacunae in the investigation. Statements varied, the FIR was delayed, and key names did not come up initially. Yet, we respect the court’s decision and will appeal.”

The verdict has been widely seen as a stern warning against crimes targeting minors and a rare instance of judicial courage in holding politically connected perpetrators accountable.