Kolkata, 19 May (H.S.): A local leader of the All India Trinamool Congress, identified as Bidyut Biswas, has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a minor girl in the Hili area of South Dinajpur district, police said on Tuesday.

According to police officials, the accused was arrested on Monday night by a team from Hili Police Station. He was produced before the Balurghat court on Tuesday, which remanded him to seven days of police custody for further investigation.

The victim’s family alleged that they had been facing continuous pressure to withdraw a “post-poll violence” case registered after the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections. According to the complaint, the accused, along with several associates, allegedly entered their house on the night of May 2 and threatened the family before sexually assaulting the minor girl.

Police said the family recently lodged a formal complaint, following which immediate action was taken and the accused was arrested.

The incident has triggered a political controversy in the area. Leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party have linked the case to the alleged post-poll violence of 2021 and demanded strict punishment for the accused.

Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress has denied all allegations and described the accusations as part of a conspiracy.

Police said an investigation is underway and all aspects of the case are being examined.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh