Arrest Made in West Bengal for Alleged Sexual Assault on Minor
Incident Overview
Representational Image
Kolkata, July 20: Authorities in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district have detained a 40-year-old man for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl, reportedly after enticing her with a mobile phone, as confirmed by police on Monday.
Allegations Against Local Political Figure
The spouse of a former Trinamool Congress councillor is also under scrutiny following claims that he attempted to protect the accused.
Community Response
This incident has sparked significant outrage in Ward No 2 of Dum Dum Municipality. The victim's mother, along with local residents, is calling for the harshest penalties for the perpetrator.
Details of the Assault
According to police reports, the suspect, identified as Billal Ghazi, who resides in the area as a tenant, allegedly took the minor to a restroom on Sunday evening and assaulted her while distracting her with a mobile device.
At that moment, the girl's mother was preoccupied with cooking, which allowed the incident to go unnoticed until a neighbor alerted her. Upon receiving the news, the mother rushed to the location and discovered her daughter being assaulted. She immediately contacted former councillor Baby Mandal for assistance. Allegedly, Baby's husband, Jalil Mandal, did not support the family and threatened them to remain silent about the incident.
Legal Action Taken
Eventually, the situation was reported to the local party office, which facilitated the family's complaint to the Dum Dum Police Station. The police responded promptly and apprehended the suspect.
A case has been filed against him under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He is expected to appear in court, where authorities will request his custody for further questioning.
Community Demands for Justice
Local residents are insisting on severe punishment for the accused and are also calling for action against the former councillor's husband. However, police have yet to take any measures against him as the investigation continues.