Amit Malviya, the chief of the BJP IT cell, claimed on Thursday that women in Sandeshkhali, West Bengal, who had lodged complaints against Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shahjahan Sheikh, were forcibly taken away by the police. However, the West Bengal Police refuted Malviya's assertion, clarifying that the woman featured in the video was summoned in an unrelated case.
Malviya took to his social media platform to share the video, alleging that women who had voiced concerns about the oppression perpetrated by Shahjahan Sheikh and his associates in Sandeshkhali were apprehended by the WB Police. He further emphasized that the BJP possesses comprehensive information and intends to ensure legal safeguards for the affected individuals. Moreover, Malviya questioned the whereabouts of Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, insinuating her reluctance to intervene in the matter.
The video shared by Malviya was part of a broader narrative targeting the West Bengal government following reports of sexual exploitation emerging from Sandeshkhali. Numerous women in the region have come forward alleging that Shahjahan Sheikh and his "gang" illegally seized large parcels of land and subjected them to sexual harassment.
Shahjahan Sheikh has been on the run since the previous month, after an attack by a mob on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) team that had gone to raid his residence in connection with an alleged ration scam.
In response to Malviya's allegations, the Bengal Police denounced the claims made by the BJP leader as "falsehood."
In a series of posts on social media, the Bengal Police rebuffed Malviya's assertions, providing context to the situation. According to the police, a woman named Rekha Patra, a resident of Sandeshkhali, along with four other local women, had visited the Basirhat court to testify before the magistrate in a case where she was the complainant. The police clarified that the Investigating Officer (I.O) of the case had accompanied them to the court to ensure their safety and security.
Additionally, the police shared a video featuring the woman, Rekha Patra, speaking about the case she is involved in.
The Bengal Police concluded by stating that they would take strict legal action against such deliberate dissemination of falsehoods aimed at tarnishing the image of the police force.
