National Human Rights Commission Addresses Public Beating in Bengal

The Commission has instructed the state police chief and the Chief Secretary to provide a comprehensive report within a week. Additionally, it announced plans to dispatch a team for an on-site investigation.

Kolkata: The National Human Rights Commission has intervened in a case where a man and a woman were publicly assaulted in Bengal, allegedly for being involved in an illicit relationship. A widely shared cellphone video shows a man, purportedly associated with the ruling Trinamool Congress, beating the couple with a stick. The Commission has instructed the state police chief and the Chief Secretary to submit a comprehensive report within a week and announced plans to send a team for an on-site investigation.

In its statement, the Rights Commission highlighted that state authorities appear to have "not learned any lessons from such incidents in the past nor the concerns raised by the NHRC."

The Commission's report is to include the status of the police investigation, the health status of the victims, and any medical treatment they have received. Quoting media reports, the statement mentioned, "The allegations of a love affair between the victim couple were discussed in an open meeting (Panchayat) by the annoyed villagers. Then, the miscreants started beating the duo. The primary assailant, allegedly connected to the ruling political party in West Bengal, can be seen in the viral video brutally attacking the couple while a crowd of onlookers watches.

The Commission noted that this is not an isolated incident in Bengal where "unruly elements take the law into their own hands, victimizing innocent people, especially women," referencing previous incidents in Sandeshkhali.

In the Sandeshkhali case, women were subjected to sexual abuse and torture by a man allegedly connected to a political party. A Commission team led by an Hon'ble Member conducted an on-the-spot inquiry into this matter as well.

The viral video of this recent incident has sparked significant political controversy in Bengal. The BJP has criticized the state government, asserting that crimes against women are widespread despite having a woman as Chief Minister.

Leaders from the CPM and BJP claim that the assailant, identified as local strongman Tajemul, has ties to the Trinamool Congress and is known for administering "instant justice" in local disputes. The Trinamool Congress has vowed that the accused, regardless of political connections, will face severe punishment.

"This is an atrocious crime. The Trinamool Congress is not concerned with the perpetrator's identity or political ties. The police are actively searching for him, and he will face the full force of the law. He won't be shown any leniency and will be made an example once apprehended," said Trinamool spokesperson Riju Dutta.