Three held for gang rape of Bengal housewife

Kolkata, Aug 3

Three people were arrested Sunday for allegedly drugging and raping a housewife in West Bengal, police said, adding the prime suspect is still on the run.

Opposition parties attacked the Trinamool Congress over the deteriorating crime scene, as the Bengal government asked police to file a report.

The incident happened in Maheshtala of South 24-Parganas district, some 12 km from here.

According to police, the woman was drugged and raped Thursday night while she was returning home in an auto.

“The victim was travelling in an auto along with an acquaintance and two others, who drugged her and took turns to rape her. We have arrested three people, including the auto driver,” a police officer said, adding prime suspect Sheikh Raju is still untraced and on the run.

Lying injured and unconscious by the road side, the woman was shifted to Vidyasagar S.G. Hospital where her condition is said to be stable.

The state government has sought a report from police while opposition parties have pointed fingers at the ruling Trinamool Congress.

“We have directed the police to immediately arrest the fourth man, said to be the prime suspect, who is now on the run, and also sought a derailed report from the police,” state Transport Minister Madan Mitra said.

The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have both accused the Trinamool of patronising criminals and expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order in the state.

“The police have become a political tool in the hands of the ruling party. Instead of preventing crime and apprehending criminals, they are more concerned in pacifying their political bosses,” CPI-M parliamentarian Mohammad Salim said.

Condemning the incident, state BJP president Rahul Sinha said crime in West Bengal has reached “alarming proportions” because criminals enjoy “patronage of the ruling party”.

(IANS)