Political tensions intensified in West Bengal on Monday after the Trinamool Congress (TMC) alleged that heavy police deployment and barricades were placed outside the residences of former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party MP Abhishek Banerjee, preventing them from visiting the family of a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in Baruipur near Kolkata.
The party claimed that security personnel conducted route marches and erected barricades around the leaders' homes, alleging that the measures were aimed at restricting their movement during a period of mounting public anger over the incident. TMC leaders questioned the necessity of the deployment and accused authorities of attempting to confine the party leadership.
Senior TMC leader Derek O'Brien shared videos on social media showing the security arrangements outside the Banerjee residences. He alleged that the deployment of central forces was intended to stop the leaders from reaching the victim's family and criticised what he described as an attempt to curb their freedom of movement.
Meanwhile, the police investigation into the alleged crime has gathered pace. Officials said two people have been arrested, while three others are being questioned in connection with the case. Authorities have constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to supervise the investigation.
Police have registered four First Information Reports (FIRs), covering both the alleged rape and murder of the minor as well as the subsequent lynching of a man who was suspected by locals of being involved in the crime. Investigators said raids are underway to trace and apprehend additional suspects.
The final cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination, police added.
To prevent further unrest, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) have been imposed in parts of Baruipur and adjoining areas. Additional police personnel have been deployed as tensions continue following widespread protests.
The victim's body was recovered from a pond a day after she reportedly went missing. Her family has alleged that the girl was sexually assaulted before being murdered, triggering widespread outrage across the region.
Following the discovery of the body, residents staged demonstrations by blocking roads and railway tracks, demanding swift action against those responsible and stricter punishment for the accused.
The case has sparked strong political reactions across party lines. Senior BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, spoke with the victim's father and assured him that those responsible would be identified and brought to justice.
According to the family, the victim's father demanded the harshest punishment for the accused, saying they deserved the death penalty. He also said Adhikari asked him to visit the state Criminal Investigation Department headquarters at Bhabani Bhawan on Tuesday for further discussions with officials. The grieving father later stated that he was satisfied with the administration's assurances regarding the investigation.
The alleged crime has once again brought the issue of women's safety and law and order in West Bengal into sharp political focus, with both the investigation and the political fallout expected to remain under close public scrutiny in the coming days.
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