Kolkata, 15 July (H.S.) : West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday said his government would extend full legal support to the family of the Kamduni gang rape and murder victim in the Supreme Court, asserting that every effort would be made to ensure justice in the 2013 case.

Speaking after meeting the victim's family during a 'Janata Darbar' at the BJP state headquarters in Kolkata, Adhikari said the matter is currently pending before the Supreme Court and is no longer under the direct jurisdiction of the state government or the police.

The Barasat court had awarded the death penalty in the case. The previous government transferred 16 public prosecutors so that the accused could be released. The victim's family has now approached the Supreme Court, and the state government will cooperate with them. Necessary instructions have already been issued to the standing counsel, Adhikari told reporters.

The Kamduni case dates back to June 7, 2013, when a college student was abducted, gang-raped and murdered while returning home in North 24 Parganas district. Her mutilated body was recovered the following morning, triggering widespread outrage across West Bengal over women's safety.

In 2016, a sessions court sentenced three convicts to death and three others to life imprisonment. The Calcutta High Court later commuted the death sentences of two convicts to life imprisonment, acquitted another death-row convict, and reduced the sentences of three others. The case is currently pending before the Supreme Court.

The victim's parents and brothers attended the Janata Darbar along with Tumpa Koyal and Mousumi Koyal, who had emerged as prominent faces of the protests following the incident.

The Chief Minister assured us that we will get justice. He is fully aware of the case, the victim's mother said after the meeting.

The victim's brother alleged that the previous government had attempted to shield the accused and expressed hope that justice would now be delivered. He also demanded stricter legal measures against those convicted of such crimes.

Earlier, Adhikari had accused the previous Trinamool Congress government of failing to support the victim's family during the legal proceedings and promised legal assistance from the state.

The victim's family has also alleged that the earlier investigation was flawed and that crucial evidence was not properly presented before the courts.

The Kamduni incident had also drawn political attention in 2013 when then Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the village and faced protests from local residents. Her allegation that Maoists were involved in the demonstrations had sparked widespread criticism.

-------

Janata Darbar Resolving Public Grievances

Adhikari also highlighted the progress of his Janata Darbar initiative, saying it has helped resolve a significant number of public grievances.

People come here with high expectations. We have addressed nearly 80 per cent of the complaints received through the five or six Janata Darbars held so far. Action Taken Reports have already been submitted, he said.

We do not believe in 'dekhna hai, sochna hai' (we'll see and think). We believe in 'karna hai' (we'll act), the Chief Minister added.

--------

Ranaghat Post-Poll Violence Case

Referring to another case, Adhikari said he had also met the family of a victim of the 2021 post-poll violence in Ranaghat, Nadia district, and assured them of justice.

They will get justice. The culprit will not be spared. Before the CBI took over the investigation following a court order, the state police had tried to dilute the case, he alleged.

The Chief Minister said he has directed the concerned police officer to reopen the matter under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh