Medinipur, 22 January (H.S.): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Indubala Das, a key witness in the gang rape case that occurred during the much-publicized Nandigram land movement (2007) in West Bengal. The arrest of the ailing elderly witness from Gokulnagar (Garupara) area of Nandigram-I block on Wednesday evening has intensified political activity in the entire region.
The Trinamool Congress has strongly condemned the action, calling it an attempt to intimidate the victim and witnesses, while the BJP has termed it compliance with a court order.
According to sources, Indubala Das had been summoned by the CBI several times earlier on the court's orders, but she did not appear. Due to her repeated absence, citing health reasons, an arrest warrant was issued against her. The CBI arrested her on Wednesday evening in compliance with that warrant.
Notably, in March 2007, during the violent phase of the Nandigram land movement, a woman and her two minor daughters were allegedly gang-raped. This case resonated in state politics for a long time.
Indubala Das is considered an eyewitness and the main witness to that horrific incident. According to police sources, one of the accused in the case has died, while the other four are currently out on bail.
Another witness in the case and Trinamool leader Swadesh Das questioned the role of the central agency, saying, The accused have been roaming freely for 18 years, but now the witness is being sent to jail.
Sujit Roy, the Trinamool Congress organizational district president of Tamluk, said, Indubala Das suffers from heart disease. The alacrity with which the CBI arrested a sick and elderly witness has never been shown against the main accused. This repressive step has been taken to protect the accused who are close to the BJP. The party will provide Indubala Das with all possible legal assistance. BJP leader Pralay Pal, however, completely rejected the Trinamool's allegations, saying,
“This matter is entirely under the jurisdiction of the court. The CBI is simply following the court's orders. Dragging politics into this is unfortunate.”
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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey
