Politics over Funeral of Bihari Gang Rape Victim in Kolkata

Kolkata: The Gang Rape of a 16 Year Old Bihari Girl in Kolkata has triggered some unprecedented ugly spats between various political outfits. The Victim, who was gang raped on October 26, was immolated by the accused on December 23. She received more than 65% burns and was fighting for life in Hospital until the morning of December 31, when she succumbed to her injuries.

Reports from various newspapers show that there has been ugly spats between opposition  CPI(M), ruling Trinamool Congress and Police over her Dead Body and its cremation.

Ever since the victim lodged a Police complaint against the Rape on October 26, she was repeatedly threatened by Accused and some powerful people to withdraw it, else face consequences.

According to her Father,  she was forcefully immolated on December 23 at the rented house in the airport area where the family was forced to shift from Madhyamgram after threats by the accused.

“In her dying declaration before Dr Sudipta Singh and investigating officer Saidullah Sana at the RG Kar hospital, she said Ratan Sil and Minta Sil, who were accused in the rape case, set her on fire,” said additional deputy commissioner (airport division) Nimbala Santosh Uttamrao, says a report in The Hindustan Times.

Her father also alleged that Kolkata Police asked him to leave the state and return to Bihar with his daughter’s body.

Later he was asked to leave Kolkata with the Dead Body of his daughter. “The police officials and some local toughs also threatened that if I did not they would stop me from driving my taxi,” he said.

The Victim’s Father who is a taxi driver and member of CPI(M) trade union Centre of Indian Trade Unions (Citu),

The girl’s father, said it was decided by the family and CITU that the body would be kept at Peace Haven mortuary in the city and a condolence rally with the body will be taken out during the day.

But the body was taken away forcefully by the police for cremation when it was being taken to the mortuary late on Tuesday night without the family’s consent.

“The police took away the body forcefully and tried to cremate it at Nimatala crematorium but could not as the death certificate was with the girl’s father. After the news spread we too rushed to the crematorium and protested forcing the police to retreat,”  said CPM state secretariat member Rabin Deb, according to a report in Times of India,

“The police gave the excuse that the condolence rally with the body cannot be allowed as there is dearth of policemen due to New Year celebrations,” he said.

However, police have denied the allegations. “It is a totally false allegation. Whatever was done was done in consultation with Bidhahnagar Police, under whose jurisdiction the girl’s house falls, and the family members. We did not forcefully take away any body,” joint commissioner of police (Headquarters) Rajeev Mishra said.

Former Rail Minister and general secretary of Trinamool Congress Mukul Roy blames opposition for the entire episode, “The opposition CPI(M) is trying to tarnish the image of our government across the country. But the recently held elections in the state show people have rubbished their plans.”

Meanwhile, a report in AIR News says that National Commission for Women ( NCW) will send a committee to inspect the circumstances that led to the death of the victim.

NCW Chairperson Mamta Sharma said she would write to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on what action she is taking against such cases occurring in the State.