West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday assured strict punishment, even going to the extent of seeking death penalty, for all those involved in the alleged rape and murder of the minor in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas.
Adhikari also alleged a larger political and communal conspiracy behind the violence.
“The state government would ensure exemplary justice for the victim’s family and take stringent action against those responsible for unrest in the area,” Adhikari said speaking at the sidelines after attending the birth anniversary programme of Syama Prasad Mookerjee at Mitra Institution.
“I spoke to the victim’s father over the phone soon after the incident. The family has sought exemplary punishment for the accused and expressed confidence in the administration,” Adhikari said.
The chief minister said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted and that the investigation is being jointly carried out by the police and the Special Task Force (STF) under the supervision of the Inspector General (IG).
According to the chief minister the victim’s family named four persons in their complaint.
“Two of them have already been arrested, while police have detained three individuals who were allegedly in regular phone contact with the two absconding accused. Investigators are examining their call records as part of the probe,” he added.
Police have registered four separate cases in connection with the Baruipur incident.
Besides the main rape and murder case, three other cases relate to the subsequent violence, including mob assault, railway blockade and attacks on security personnel.
Adhikari, hinting that the incidents of mob violence had a communal angle, refrained from elaborating further, saying that the investigation was still underway and the police would disclose details at the appropriate time.
Expressing concern over the vandalism on the Namkhana railway line on Sunday, where railway tracks were allegedly uprooted during protests, the chief minister said, “The violence is similar to the anti-CAA protests of 2019 and recent demonstrations against the Waqf Amendment Bill,” he added.
Adhikari said that two CRPF personnel were injured in the violence and a police vehicle was set on fire, adding that attacks on security forces and destruction of public property would be dealt with firmly.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to securing the maximum punishment for those accused in the rape and murder case, Adhikari also warned of “all-out action” against those allegedly attempting to exploit the incident to fuel unrest.
Without naming any political party, the chief minister alleged that “three major forces” that had suffered electoral defeats were behind the violence and said those responsible would face strict legal consequences.