The Aryavarth Express
Agency (West Bengal): The Trinamool Congress (TMC) filed a complaint with the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday, accusing BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari and others of orchestrating false rape accusations in Sandeshkhali. The complaint is based on a video allegedly showing a BJP leader admitting to the conspiracy.
TMC’s Rajya Sabha MP Sagarika Ghose submitted a letter to the EC, alleging that Adhikari and other BJP leaders engaged in a conspiracy to file fabricated rape complaints against Sheikh Shahjahan, Shibu Hazra, and Uttam Sardar. The letter claims that a video features Gangadhar Kayal, the BJP’s mandal president in Sandeshkhali, admitting that Adhikari was behind the false accusations.
The video, described as a “sting operation” by TMC and shared on social media platform X, reportedly shows Kayal stating that the sexual harassment complaints were filed under Adhikari’s instructions. TMC contends that this indicates a deliberate effort by BJP leaders to damage the reputation of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) and manipulate political power in West Bengal through deceitful tactics.
West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar responded by calling the “sting operation” fake and suggested it might have been created using artificial intelligence (AI).
TMC’s complaint to the EC emphasizes that the actions of the BJP leaders constitute serious criminal offenses, including conspiracy, fraud, and defamation. The party demands that the EC direct police to initiate criminal proceedings against those involved, including Adhikari, and to detain and interrogate the individuals implicated in the video.
Additionally, TMC urged the EC to restrict BJP leaders from discussing the Sandeshkhali incident publicly, arguing that the evidence suggests they have been spreading orchestrated and unverified allegations against TMC and its leaders.
The incident in Sandeshkhali, a village in North 24 Parganas district, gained attention recently when women protested against local TMC leader Shajahan Sheikh and his associates, accusing them of sexual assault and land grabbing. Sheikh and a few others were subsequently arrested.
