Police, central forces at TMC councillor Md Jasimuddin‘s home after fresh assault complaint linked to POCSO case

Police and security personnel conducted an operation at the residence of Kolkata Municipal Corporation Ward No. 39 councillor Mohammad Jasimuddin in the College Street area on Sunday morning following allegations of harassment and assault involving a young woman. Officers from Jorasanko Police Station, accompanied by central forces, arrived at the councillor’s residence at around 6 a.m. According to the report, police intended to question him in connection with the matter.

The case is linked to a POCSO case registered in 2023. The victim’s family had accused Jasimuddin and seven others in connection with the alleged rape of a minor, following which a case was registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. The report states that investigators are examining developments related to that case and subsequent allegations made by the complainant’s family.

According to the complaint, a fresh incident took place on Saturday night in the Kolabagan area. The young woman allegedly encountered individuals said to be close to the councillor and was subjected to verbal abuse and harassment. The complaint further alleges that when she protested, she was assaulted, slapped and kicked. The woman is reportedly undergoing treatment at a hospital in central Kolkata.

The victim’s family lodged a complaint at Jorasanko Police Station on Saturday night. The report also alleges that several CCTV cameras in the Kolabagan area were damaged during the night. Police subsequently cordoned off the area around the councillor’s residence, conducted searches and questioning, and reportedly detained one person described as being close to the councillor.

News of the police presence led local residents to gather outside the residence. According to the report, several protesters assembled near the house carrying eggs and stated that they intended to throw them at the councillor if he emerged. The development comes amid recent actions involving elected representatives of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation, including the arrest of councillor Bappaditya Dasgupta in an alleged extortion case. The allegations against Jasimuddin remain under investigation, and no court finding regarding the accusations has been reported.