Husband of Trinamool panchayat member arrested for rape and alleged murder of tenant in Kolkata

Jayant Biswas, a Kolkata police driver and husband of Trinamool Congress Panchayat member Sanchita Biswas, has been arrested along with his wife after being accused of raping and murdering their tenant. The arrest was made following a complaint lodged by the deceased's brother, who alleges that Jayant raped the woman a month and a half ago while she lived on rent in their house.

The victim had been renting a room in the Biswas household for several months when she allegedly faced sexual assault at the hands of Jayant about a month and a half ago. After the assault, she mustered the courage to file a formal complaint at the local police station on September 12. However, the victim's family claims that she encountered persistent threats and intimidation tactics from both Jayant and Sanchita, severely affecting her mental health and well-being. The family reports that they were pressured to withdraw the complaint, creating a climate of fear surrounding the case.

On October 10, the situation took a tragic turn when the victim's body was discovered hanging in her in-laws' house. The family alleges that her death was not a suicide, asserting that Jayant and Sanchita conspired to murder her to silence her and eliminate any evidence of the earlier rape. The victim's brother stated, “My sister was devastated by the threats she received. Jayant is responsible for her death, and Sanchita assisted in covering it up.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community in Habra, North 24 Parganas, prompting neighbors to demand justice for the victim. Local residents have organized protests, calling for severe punishment for those involved and highlighting the urgent need for a thorough investigation into the allegations against the accused. They have also voiced concerns about the effectiveness of law enforcement in protecting women from violence and ensuring justice in such cases. As the investigation unfolds, the police have arrested Jayant, Sanchita, and the victim's husband. They are scheduled to appear in court on Monday.