CISF jawan arrested in Asansol for attempted rape of minor, dismissed from service

A Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) jawan has been arrested and subsequently dismissed from service following allegations of sexually harassing a 10-year-old girl at the Shitalpur camp in Asansol, Paschim Bardhaman. The accused, identified as Ramakant Biswakarma, was reportedly deployed for the security of local coal mines under Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and was not associated with the 2026 West Bengal Assembly Election duties. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon when the victim had gone to a mango orchard adjacent to the security camp with her friends to collect fruit.

According to the complaint filed by the girl’s father at the Kulti police station, the jawan lured the minor into his room within the camp premises with the promise of giving her high-quality mangoes. Once inside, the accused allegedly subjected the child to sexual harassment. When the girl attempted to protest, the jawan reportedly issued threats to silence her. However, the victim managed to escape the room and return home, where she narrated the harrowing experience to her parents, leading to immediate public outcry.

The news of the assault sparked intense tension in the Lalbazar and Shitalpur areas on Sunday night. Enraged local residents gathered in large numbers to surround the CISF camp and later blocked the road near Gate No. 3, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused. Protesters remained firm despite attempts by Binay Das, the in-charge of the Saktoria police outpost, to pacify the crowd and lift the blockade. The standoff continued until the police tracked down and apprehended the jawan, who had initially fled the camp on a scooty.

Legal proceedings against the accused have been initiated under several stringent sections of the law. Reports indicate that a case has been registered under Sections 137(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Sections 8 and 10 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The police detained the jawan from the ECL headquarters in Shitalpur before formally placing him under arrest. He remains in police custody as the investigation progresses.

In a swift administrative response on Monday, the CISF authorities announced the termination of the accused jawan's service. Following a departmental inquiry launched immediately after the allegations surfaced, the force issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to discipline and professionalism. The authorities emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward crimes against women and children, stating that the dismissal serves as a clear message regarding the conduct expected of its personnel.