Mamata Banerjee slammed for ‘rape or love affair’ comment on Nadia gangrape case

Kolkata: West Bengal governor Jagdeep Dhankhar, who already sought a report from the state chief secretary on Hanskhali gangrape and murder of a 14-year-old girl, on Tuesday said the criminal investigation in Hanskhali case was tainted and compromised when people in authority and constitutional position indicates judgmental stance.

The governor's assertion happened a day after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday was quoted as saying “Are you going to call it rape or pregnant or a love affair? I asked the police. It was a bad thing, and an arrest has been made; but I heard there was a love affair between the boy and the girl. Was it an actual rape? Or was she pregnant? Or was there any other reason? Or was she repeatedly slapped? Even her family members knew she was having an affair”.

"Criminal Investigation in shameful rape Hanskhali leading to victim death is tainted & compromised when people in authority & constitutional position indicate judgmental stance. This against the law approach scuttles fair & independent probe as police is forced to toe such line," Dhankar posted twitter as saying.

On Monday Dhankhar sought reports from state chief secretary H K Dwivedi regarding the alleged gangrape death of a 14-year-old girl in Nadia district.

Meanwhile, a second suspect was arrested on Tuesday in connection with alleged rape of a minor girl in Hanskhali area, police said. He is a friend of the main suspect in the case, the officer said.

Two others, who attended the party, have been detained for questioning,” the police added. (UNI)