The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has initiated suo motu cognizance of a disturbing video circulating on social media that includes a rape threat against the 11-year-old daughter of Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee. This comes amid widespread outrage over the recent rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.
In the video, recorded at a protest rally following the tragic August 9 incident, an individual was heard making explicit threats against Mr. Banerjee’s daughter and announcing a ₹10 crore reward for anyone who would commit the crime. The West Bengal child rights panel has condemned these threats, describing them as an assault on the modesty of the minor and a serious risk to her safety.
The Commission has urged the police to take immediate action under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child. It has demanded an action-taken report from the police within two days.
The panel warned that such threats not only jeopardize the safety of the individual targeted but also set a dangerous precedent that could endanger other children. “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,” the commission stated.
In response to the threats, senior Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien took to social media to denounce the perpetrators. “Fight us politically with your filthy tricks. You have done it before. But today you have crossed the line. Stop threatening kids. No words are enough to condemn the gutter-level threats to our National General Secretary’s daughter. STOP THIS NOW,” he posted on X.
The ongoing unrest in Kolkata has been fueled by protests against the handling of the doctor’s case. The Mamata Banerjee-led government and the ruling Trinamool Congress are facing criticism for their response. The state government has accused opposition parties BJP and CPM of attempting to create unrest.
Following a Calcutta High Court order, the investigation into the rape-murder case was transferred to the CBI. While Kolkata Police had previously arrested an accused, Sanjoy Roy, the CBI has yet to make any arrests in the case.
Sources By Agencies