KOLKATA: Cops did not see any “(political) colour” while acting in the Hanskhali murder-rape and arresting the accused, Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee asserted on Monday, questioning why the Trinamool Congress as a party was being blamed for a crime committed by one party worker’s son.
“Action has been taken. Arrests have happened,” Banerjee said, raising some questions on the sequence of events that followed the crime. “When did she (the girl) die? April 5. When did the police learn (about it)? April 10. Why was the complaint not lodged on April 5 if someone died on April 5 and there was suspicion (of wrongdoing)?” she asked in her first reaction to the Hanskhali case.
Prime accused Sohel alias Brajagopal Goyali is the son of Trinamool gram panchayat member Samar; Sohel has been arrested but Samar is absconding with the rest of the family.
“I enquired about it (the incident) when I heard about it,” Banerjee said, referring to media reports. “Cops said they were not aware. The child died. Have you enquired whether it was rape or was she pregnant or there was an affair? It is a very unfortunate incident. A person has been arrested. But I was told that the boy and the girl were in love. Isn’t it a fact?” she asked state director-general of police Manoj Malaviya. “This is from whatever I have gathered,” she added.
“This is not Uttar Pradesh that I will start love jihad programmes to stop youngsters in relationships. That is their choice. But we will, of course, ensure action is taken when a crime is committed. And action has taken place. The probe will unearth all details,” Banerjee assured, adding: “Love and trust are important in a friendship. But do not let anyone hurt you in the guise of friendship.”
“Why drag the Trinamool Congress (into the incident)? Did the party do it? Did the party ask them (the accused) to do it? Why is the Trinamool named when the son of a party worker commits a crime?” she asked.
