The alleged rape and subsequent death of a Class XI student at Hanskhali in West Bengal’s Nadia district created a furore on Monday with the Opposition targeting the Trinamool Congress government. While the prime accused and son of a gram pradhan member, Brajagopal Gayali alias Sohail, was arrested on Sunday, it was a remark by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee that triggered strong political reactions.
Family members of the 14-year-old student said the alleged rape occurred on April 4 when she went to attend the birthday party of the son of the local Trinamool Congress leader. The parents said she died the following day on April 5 due to excessive bleeding. The parents alleged that the Trinamool Congress leader’s family forcibly tried to burn the girl’s body by pouring kerosene. Sohail is son of local Trinamool leader Samar Gayali, who is a member of the Gajna gram panchayat .
Speaking at an event organised by the State government, Ms. Banerjee wondered whether the incident could be called rape, love affair, a case of pregnancy or any other reason.
