Kolkata: The Kolkata Police has initiated investigation into yet another case of post-poll violence dating back to 2021, where a 40-year-old woman was molested, assaulted, and looted alongside her husband, allegedly at the behest of a former KMC councillor.
The incident occurred on May 3, 2021, just a day after the results of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly Elections were announced. The attackers were allegedly acting under the direct instructions of Shanti Ranjan Kundu, the former Ward 32 councilor, and another associate named Deepak Patel. After hearing the initial arguments, the court remanded the accused to police custody until July 14 for further interrogation.
The victim revealed that when they finally returned, their initial attempts to seek justice were met with police apathy, as they were made to sit for hours at the station without any assistance. The police report confirmed that the allegations have led to a FIR including outraging modesty, causing hurt, and theft against Kundu and his associates.
A resident of Muraripukur Road, a mob reportedly attacked her residence, according to the complaint filed by the victim. However, a recent official police enquiry into the matter has finally validated the victim’s claims. Kundu could not be contacted for his reactions. Acting on a formal complaint filed by the victim, a team from the Burrabazar police station conducted a raid in the area and detained the political leader.
Dixit was produced before the Bankshall Court on Sunday afternoon.
Following the orders of the councillor, the group dragged the victim outside by pulling her clothes, outraging her modesty, and beat her until she lost consciousness from blows to her eyes. The victim stated that the mob initially gathered outside her home, hurling explicit abuses before forcefully breaking inside. The attackers systematically vandalised the house, smashing furniture, electronics, and even the throne of the family’s household deity.