Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is under intense fire for claiming a 14-year-old girl was enjoying a love affair, despite being under fire for the murder of a 14-year-old girl reportedly as a result of gangrape. Banerjee struck back at critics on Monday, querying why the corpse was burned before a postmortem and the complaint was submitted five days later.
The minor girl’s relatives claimed she was gangraped after she died shortly after attending a birthday celebration in south Bengal’s Nadia district. A male in his 20s, the son of a local Trinamool official, has been detained as the main culprit in the case.
Ms Banerjee said that her family and neighbours were aware of the love affair. She added that the state would ensure that if there was a crime, action would be done. She stated that action had been done in the current situation.
Ms Banerjee said that her family and neighbours were aware of the love affair. She added that the state would ensure that if there was a crime, action will be taken. She stated that action had been undertaken in the current situation.
“Those who voted in this Chief Minister should re-evaluate their decision. What language she uses… This Chief Minister should rinse her mouth with phenyl and bleaching powder,” Suvendu Adhikari, the BJP’s Leader of the Opposition, said as much. “If the (girl’s) family wants a CBI investigation, which they should,” he continued, “we will provide all available support.”
“You tell me, if someone dies on the 5th and there are queries and complaints about it — why not file a complaint on the 5th itself? You went ahead and cremated the body? I’m speaking here as a layman, without knowing all of it. How will they (the police) get any evidence? If there was a rape, or pregnancy or any other reason…” CM Banerjee said at a function.
The family claims that the Trinamool leaders’ son compelled them to cremate the remains, according to reports. The police are investigating why the complaint was not filed sooner.
She further chastised the media for failing to adequately report occurrences relating to Ram Navami, saying, This is a land of 12 crore people. Ram Navami was observed across India. So many things happened. Did a single incident take place here?”
“So many festivals take place here. No incidents take place. But if a single incident takes place, even if a small one among many, we don’t like it. But much is made of it. The police still do not know. I asked – you are showing that a girl died after rape. Was it rape, or was she pregnant or a love affair? Have you conducted any inquiry?”
Ms Banerjee’s government has been criticised for incidents of political violence, such as the recent killings in Birbhum. Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar has requested an immediate report on the Nadia case from the state Chief Secretary.
