TMC councillor Md Jasimuddin arrested after 5 hour ordeal in child molestation case

Police arrested Kolkata Municipal Corporation Ward No. 39 councillor Mohammad Jasimuddin on Sunday after a prolonged operation at his residence in the College Street area. According to the report, officers located him inside a locked basement within the house after he had reportedly remained untraceable for around five hours while police and central forces were stationed outside the premises. Police allegedly broke open the lock before taking him into custody.

The operation began at around 6 a.m. when personnel from Jorasanko Police Station, accompanied by central forces, arrived at the residence to question the councillor. The action followed allegations involving the harassment and assault of a young woman and developments connected to a POCSO case registered in 2023. Officers remained at the residence for several hours before locating and detaining him.

According to the report, the 2023 case was registered after the victim’s family accused Jasimuddin and seven others in connection with the alleged rape of a minor under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. Investigators are examining developments related to that case as well as subsequent allegations raised by the complainant’s family.

The latest complaint was filed after an incident allegedly took place in the Kolabagan area on Saturday night. According to the complaint, the young woman encountered individuals said to be close to the councillor and was subjected to verbal abuse and harassment. The complaint further alleges that she was assaulted, slapped and kicked after protesting. She 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 conducted searches and questioning, while one person described as being close to the councillor was reportedly detained. Local residents gathered outside the residence during the operation, and the allegations against Jasimuddin remain under investigation.