I was not raped… Women took U-turn in Sandeshkhali’s Sheikh Shahjahan case, TMC accuses BJP of conspiracy
In the much-discussed Sandeshkhali case of West Bengal, two of the three women who accused Trinamool (TMC) leaders of rape have withdrawn the case. In the video that surfaced, it was claimed that a local BJP leader got several women to sign plain papers and these papers were later used to lodge complaints of rape and sexual harassment against the ruling Trinamool leaders. After this, Trinamool has accused BJP of spreading lies. Trinamool lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against BJP’s Subhendu Adhikari and others and demanded that instructions for police action be issued. The party has claimed that a BJP leader has confessed on camera that the rape allegations in the Sandeshkhali case were fabricated. Meanwhile, BJP’s West Bengal unit president Sukant Majumdar alleged that the sting operation was fake and suspected that the video was made with the help of artificial intelligence.
Three days ago, Trinamool Congress shared a message-less ‘sting operation’ video on social media. In this video, a local BJP leader Gangadhar Koyal had claimed that the rape allegations were fabricated. He claimed that Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Subhendu Adhikari was behind this episode.
Many videos surfaced
To emphasize its claims, TMC shared several videos of some women of Sandeshkhali. In these videos, the women alleged that the BJP tricked them into filing false rape cases.
BJP has given ticket to Rekha Patra
TMC has shared a fresh video, in which BJP leader and Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat Rekha Patra is seen questioning the identity of a group of Sandeshkhali victims. This group was introduced by BJP leaders to President Draupadi Murmu to whom the victim women had narrated their ordeal. Rekha Patra is one of the prominent faces of the Sandeshkhali protests, who has been fielded by the BJP.
TMC accused BJP
Trinamool Congress had on Wednesday alleged that BJP leaders were threatening to kill women who have expressed their desire to withdraw their rape complaints. Referring to the video released, state government minister Shashi Panja said that there might have been some complaints regarding land grabbing of Sandeshkhali victims. But he never complained about any sexual crime. This again proves that BJP is spreading lies. This despicable act of fabrication and intimidation will not go unpunished.
Shubhendu Adhikari retaliated
On the other hand, Leader of Opposition in West Bengal Assembly Subhendu Adhikari rejected Trinamool Congress’s claims and alleged that the videos were prepared by Bhypo (Abhishek Banerjee) and TMC’s personal election-cum-political consultant, I-PAC. He also alleged that I-PAC had distributed money to get this work done. He said that we are going to court against both of them soon and will ensure that action is taken against both of them for spreading such malicious lies.
What did the women say in the video?
In one of the newly released videos, a woman can be heard saying, ‘We have been cheated by making us sign on plain paper. Later we came to know that a rape complaint had been filed in our name. This is absolutely false. Another alleged resident of Sandeshkhali has given a similar statement in another video. It has been claimed that she is the victim of a conspiracy by BJP leader Piyali Das.
Piyali Das also accused
A third woman also made the same allegations against Piyali Das and said, ‘She has tarnished our reputation and caused us a lot of pain.’ CPM’s Basirhat Lok Sabha candidate Nirapad Sardar claimed that both Trinamool and BJP are trying to confuse the people of Sandeshkhali by circulating videos to prove their point, but the voters have woken up and are now with the Left parties.
What is Sandeshkhali case?
Sandeshkhali falls under Basirhat constituency from where the BJP has fielded Rekha Patra, who is also an alleged victim. The area came into limelight when a group of women protested against local Trinamool leader Shahjahan Shaikh and his associates accusing them of sexual harassment and land grabbing. Later Sheikh and some others were arrested.
