Kolkata: Former Trinamool Congress MLA Saukat Molla has been booked on charges of rape and criminal intimidation after a woman lodged a complaint at Jibantala police station in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, police confirmed on Friday.
According to news agency PTI, a senior police officer stated that the complaint had been received and a case was registered. "We have received the complaint, and a case has been registered. The allegations are being examined, and an investigation is underway," the officer told PTI.
The complaint, filed on Monday, alleges that the incidents took place in March 2019. The woman claimed that her five-year-old son was taken away by anti-social elements, and while trying to secure his return, she came into contact with one of the accused.
"The woman claimed that her five-year-old son had been taken away by some anti-social elements, and while trying to secure his return, she came into contact with one of the accused persons," the officer said, referring to the complaint.
The woman alleged that she was subsequently subjected to repeated sexual assault and physical abuse by the accused. One of the accused is reportedly Molla's driver, while another is the driver's brother. The fourth accused has been described by the complainant as the principal conspirator.
According to the complaint, the woman was taken to a hideout where she was raped and assaulted by the driver's brother. She alleged that she was threatened that she would not get her child back unless she complied with the demands of the accused.
Furthermore, she claimed that photographs and videos of the assaults were recorded and later used to blackmail her. "In her complaint, the woman has also alleged that photographs and videos of the assaults were recorded and later used to blackmail her," the officer said, adding that she was repeatedly threatened with the material being made public.
The woman also alleged that she was later taken to a location linked to Molla, where the former legislator allegedly raped her. She accused Molla's driver of also sexually assaulting her.
Police said the woman told them she had remained silent for years due to fear, social stigma, and concerns for her safety. "The statements of the complainant would be recorded as part of the investigation, and all allegations mentioned in the complaint would be verified," the officer said.
This case comes days after Molla was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case. He now faces fresh legal trouble following the allegations of repeated sexual assault made by the woman against him and three others.
