Trinamool says Assam rape accused who died in custody had political links

The Trinamool Congress on Saturday slammed the BJP government in Assam for death in custody of a person accused of rape and asked if this was not an attempt to hide the names of “senior figures”. TMC spokesperson Kunal Ghosh said there were also allegations that Tafazul Islam, the prime accused in the gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl in Dhing in Assam, had political links.

“Assam gang rape. Accused of political support to criminals. Arrested. Then fell into a pond and died while being taken to the crime scene by police for investigation. Allegedly, it was an operation to hide the identity of other names and people in higher positions. Will there be an inquiry into all complaints and justice? Will death in police custody be the end?” Ghosh tweeted.

The TMC’s attack comes at a time when the party is on the defensive after the gruesome rape and murder of a trainee doctor at a government hospital in Kolkata. The BJP has tried to corner the ruling party in Bengal and has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

On Friday, a similar case on the other side of the border sparked outrage, with the TMC quickly seizing on the matter and attacking the BJP party.

Police said the accused, arrested on August 23, was being taken to the crime scene at around 3.30 am on Saturday when he suddenly hit a policeman and escaped from custody. The accused then jumped into a pond and his body was fished out of the water two hours later.

Islam and two others allegedly he raped a girl when she was coming home from tutoring on a bike in Dhing on Thursday evening. She was later left unconscious on the roadside. The other two accused are still absconding.

The incident sparked mass protests on Friday, with residents and various organizations declaring the facility closed and demanding decisive action against the perpetrators.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Sarma said the police had acted swiftly in the case, unlike the “delayed” response by police in the rape and murder case of a doctor in Kolkata.

“In Bengal, when women are tortured, criminals are protected and police take suspicious action. In Assam, a horrible crime was committed against a minor girl. The accused was immediately arrested,” he said on Friday.