[ West Bengal Post-Poll Violence] Two Women Allegedly Gang Raped By TMC Supporters Move Supreme Court

Two women, a 17 year old minor and a 64 year old woman, allegedly raped by TMC supporters/workers during post-poll violence have moved the Supreme Court seeking to be impleaded in plea filed for SIT/CBI Probe in West Bengal Post Poll Violence. The impleadment is being sought in plea which was filed seeking CBI/SIT probe into the killings of two BJP activists allegedly at the instance of Trinamool Congress leaders during the post-poll violenceIn the application filed by a 17 year old minor girl from a scheduled caste community allegedly gang raped by TMC supporters on May 9th, it has been stated that the girl was stopped by a group of 4 men saying " Our Party has won the elections, now lets teach her a lesson" and was assaulted and raped.Further it has been stated that while the men assaulted and raped the girl one by one for more than an hour, they said " Now we will teach you a lesson for supporting BJP"The applicant has also contended that TMC workers came to her house the next day and threatened her family, saying that they would burn their farm and kill them if they escalated the matter.The application filed by the 60 year old woman, who was allegedly raped by supporters/workers of the ruling political party, Trinamool Congress, has sought permission to be impleaded to safeguard the life and liberty of her family members and seek justice for crime committed against her body and soul.The applicant has called it a glaring living example of the nature of post poll violence unleashed by supporters of the ruling political party against those who opposed or were perceived to oppose the interest of Trinamool Congress during Assembly Elections.The applicant has narrated the incident saying that, five workers from TMC forced their way into her house, where she was slapped, beaten, handcuffed and tied to her bed, as the 'criminals' forced themselves on her, in front of her 6 year old grandson.The applicant has argued that the perversity of investigation as is being carried out by the local police can be inferred from the fact that they deliberately chose to name only one out of the 5 persons in the FIR, even though all 5 were named by her.The same has been argued in the minor's application, stating that rule of law in West Bengal is being brazenly flouted and its law enforcement agencies instead of conducting fair investigation and sympathising with the applicant, are working towards shielding the power accused personsAccording to both applicants, interest of justice requires that investigation in the instant case be transferred to a Special Investigation Team or an independent Agency, and the Trial to be moved out of West Bengal to prevent any interference or influence.

[ West Bengal Post-Poll Violence] Two Women Allegedly Gang Raped By TMC Supporters Move Supreme Court

Srishti Ojha

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