Minor raped in Hooghly's Uttarpara, accused allegedly connected with Trinamool; BJP launches attack

A wave of shock and political tension has gripped Uttarpara in Hooghly district following the arrest of a young man, allegedly close to the Trinamool Congress (TMC), for the rape of a 16-year-old minor. The incident reportedly took place on Thursday evening inside the desolate premises of the closed Hindmotor factory. According to the victim's statement, she had gone into the area with a friend when the accused and his two associates intercepted them. They allegedly scared the friend away before committing the heinous crime.

The arrest has put the ruling party on the defensive as photos of the accused with several senior TMC leaders from Uttarpara and Hooghly began circulating on social media. The youth had previously been in the eye of a storm when a viral audio clip surfaced, showing him threatening a local fish farmer while introducing himself as the "Vice President of Uttarpara City Youth Trinamool." Despite the visual evidence of his presence at various party programs, TMC leaders have distanced themselves from him, claiming he holds no official position and that the party does not condone such acts.

The opposition BJP has launched a scathing attack on the state government, alleging that the "culture of impunity" among lower-level workers is leading to such crimes. BJP leader Indranil Dutta stated that miscreants believe they can get away with anything under the banner of the ruling party. In response, TMC’s Hooghly Serampore Youth President Priyanka Adhikari clarified that having photographs with leaders does not make someone an office bearer and emphasized that the law should take its own course.

The minor underwent a medical examination and the accused was produced before the Serampore court on Friday. The police have registered a case under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The victim’s legal counsel, Shubhdeep Nath, expressed hope for speedy justice, noting that the repeat nature of the accused's "misdemeanors" warrants the strictest possible punishment.