A shocking incident of sexual assault against a minor girl inside a closed factory in West Bengal's Hooghly district has triggered widespread outrage and a political slugfest, with the opposition alleging the main accused is linked to the ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC).
The Incident and Immediate Aftermath
The crime occurred on the evening of Thursday, January 10, 2026. According to police details, a 16-year-old girl had entered the premises of a shut-down factory in Hooghly district with a male friend. The situation turned horrific when the main accused, identified as Dipankar Adhikari, arrived at the spot with two associates. The group allegedly threatened the girl's friend and forced him to leave, following which Adhikari raped the minor.
Law enforcement acted on the complaint, leading to the arrest of two individuals. They were subsequently produced before the Serampore court. A senior police officer from Hooghly confirmed that a case has been registered under the stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The victim's medical examination has been completed, and the investigation is actively underway to determine if more people were involved.
Political Accusations and Denials
The case quickly assumed a political dimension after the main accused, Dipankar Adhikari, claimed to be a local TMC leader and a civic volunteer. This claim was seized upon by opposition parties, who staged protests and demanded swift action.
Local BJP leader Indranil Dutta asserted, "Everybody knows the main accused is a local TMC leader. He has been doing whatever he wanted for many days, and this has resulted in such an incident. It is intolerable." CPI(M) leaders also held a dharna outside the police station, alleging that Adhikari had a prior history of extortion complaints but faced no action.
However, both the TMC and the police administration have refuted the political connection. The party and officials denied that Adhikari held any position within the TMC. Local TMC leader Kalachand Banerjee stated, "Our party is in power. Maybe some miscreants are trying to walk with us to get some benefits. But if they engage in crime, the police will take steps, and the law will take its own course. Our party will not tolerate such criminals."
Ongoing Investigation and Demands
While two arrests have been made, opposition parties insist that at least two more individuals were complicit in the crime and are demanding their immediate apprehension. The police have reiterated that the probe is ongoing and all aspects, including the political allegations and the accused's background, are being thoroughly examined.
The incident has cast a spotlight on law and order in the region, with calls for justice for the minor victim dominating the discourse. The community awaits further developments as the legal process unfolds in the Serampore court.
