New Delhi: Even as protests continue to rage over the ghastly rape-murder of a 31-year-old junior doctor in Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital, the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has taken strong exception to a rape threat issued by a “miscreant” to the 11-year-old daughter of Trinamool Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee. Abhishek Banerjee is the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
The child rights body took suo moto cognisance of a video on a social media platform shot during a demonstration over the rape-murder of the junior doctor on August 9. The commission pointed out that an individual could be heard issuing rape threats to the daughter of Abhishek Banerjee and declaring a Rs 10 crore reward to the person who does it.
In a statement, the panel underlined, “Such filthy intention of the miscreant and his indecent remark in public amounts to outraging the modesty of a minor girl and also endangering her safety and security.”
The rights body has reportedly demanded police action against the miscreant and book him under Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act and the UN Convention on Rights of a Child.
“While the entire state is mourning the sad demise of the doctor at RG Kar, calling for another rape to settle scores is clearly violative of the law and could send out a dangerous message to society if punitive measures are not taken. This can put not just the minor girl in question but all minor girls at risk,” the panel warned. It asked the police to file an action taken report in this matter within two days.
Reacting sharply over the issue, senior TMC leader Derek O’Brien wrote on X, “Fight us politically with your filthy tricks. You have done it before. But today you have crossed the line. Stop threatening kids. No words enough to condemn the gutter level threats to our National General Secretary’s daughter. STOP THIS NOW.”
Protests over the horrific rape and murder of the junior doctor in RG Kar has rocked the nation. The Mamata Banerjee government and TMC has invited massive public wrath for mishandling of the issue.
