Hooghly, 10 January (H.S.): The police have arrested another person in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl at the Hindmotor factory in Hooghly. The victim had gone to the abandoned factory with a minor boy. The police had previously arrested the main accused. According to police sources, the victim has undergone a medical examination.
According to the police and local sources, the incident occurred last Thursday evening. The sixteen-year-old girl had gone inside the closed Hindmotor factory with a friend. An alleged 'Trinamool Youth leader' arrived there with two companions, who also identified themselves as civic volunteers. They allegedly intimidated the two minors, blackmailed them, and then raped the girl.
The girl recounted the incident upon returning home, after which her family filed a complaint at Uttarpara police station. Based on this, police arrested the main accused on Friday. However, two other individuals involved are still at large.
In the course of investigating the rape allegations, the police have also arrested the friend with whom the minor had gone to the Hindmotor factory. A case has been registered under the POCSO Act.
The incident has heightened political tensions in the area. On Friday, the CPI(M) staged a protest in front of Uttarpara police station. Left parties have called for a protest in Uttarpara on January 14th.
The BJP claimed that the youth arrested on rape charges has a history of involvement in several other offenses, including threatening traders, engaging in hooliganism, and other criminal activities. They also allege that he operates under the protection of the ruling party. The Trinamool Congress has dismissed this allegation, stating that the law will take its course.
On Saturday, Amit P. Jawalgi, the Police Commissioner of Chandannagar Police Commissionerate, visited Uttarpara police station. After speaking with the investigators, the Police Commissioner said, The minor's father has filed a complaint. There are allegations of sexual assault. Two people have been arrested. One of the arrested individuals is a minor; he will be produced before the Juvenile Court. He stated that the minor's medical examination report has been received. A case has been registered under the relevant sections. The accused, who was claiming to be a civic volunteer, was found to be a fraud during the investigation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey