19-year-old gets death penalty for rape and murder of group 4 girl, Bengal CM Mamata praises speedy justice

A 19-year-old man was sentenced to death by a special court in West Bengal’s 24 Parganas district for raping and murdering a 10-year-old girl within about two months. The body of a class 4 student was found in a pond in Kultali area of Joynagar on October 5 after she went missing while returning home after school.

In a speedy trial, the POCSO court of Additional District Judge Subrata Chattopadhyay in Baruipur sentenced the accused to death and termed the incident a “rarest of the rare” case. The convict was charged under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 65 (rape), 66 (causing death or vegetative state) and 103 (murder), along with provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act .

According to a report by PTI, the police filed a chargesheet on October 30 and the trial, which began on November 5, was completed within 21 days. The incident sparked violent protests in the area, about 50 km from Calcutta, and coincided with outrage over the rape and murder of a doctor at RG Kar Medical College. Protesters set fire to vehicles, looted a police post and blocked roads. To ensure a thorough investigation, the state government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Special Public Prosecutor Bibhas Chatterjee, who fought the case, noted that the speedy investigation and trial in the case could set an important precedent in the history of the country’s criminal jurisprudence.

“In a highly polarized atmosphere over the RG Kar rape and murder case, where the call for justice remains a talking point, Kultali’s verdict would prove that not all is wrong in Bengal’s police and legal system. Kultali reserves the potential to undo RG Kar’s story. ” he said.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomes verdict

After the verdict was handed down, the victim’s father said: “I am grateful to the court. The perpetrator must be punished for his crime.”

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the verdict and called it unprecedented in the history of the state. “Conviction and death penalty in such a case in just over two months is unprecedented in the history of the state. I congratulate the State Police and everyone involved in the prosecution process for this outstanding achievement. The government has zero tolerance for crimes against women and will continue to ensure that justice is not delayed or denied,” she wrote on X.

The accused in the case involving the brutal rape and murder of a minor girl in Joynagar on 4.10.24 was today sentenced to death by the POCSO court in Baruipur, just 62 days after the horrific incident. Conviction and death penalty in such a case in just over two…

— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 6, 2024

The CM had met the victim’s parents at the state secretariat and assured them of all possible help in getting justice. TMC National General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee said, “The next big step is the nationwide implementation of the Aparajita Anti-Rape Bill as strong legislation is the only way to create a deterrent against such atrocities.”

Reacting to the heinous crime, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh told ANI, “The death sentence was pronounced within 61 days. The West Bengal Police investigated the case, the trial took place and the death sentence was pronounced today. This is how things should be done and This is how it is done in Bengal. Had this case of RG Kar been with the Calcutta police, the death penalty would have been pronounced long ago as the Calcutta police had nabbed the accused within 24 hours… The campaign to defame the police was aimed at to discredit the police. wrong.”

#WATCH | Kolkata, West Bengal: On the death sentence awarded to the accused in the case of rape and murder of a minor girl in Jayanagar, TMC leader Kunal Ghosh said, “The death sentence was pronounced within 61 days. The West Bengal Police investigated the case. the trial took place and… pic.twitter.com/Wys2tg7FRD

— ANI (@ANI) December 6, 2024

“If Hindu people are attacked there, what will the central government do? What is the BJP government doing? Why are they silent? Mamata Banerjee has clearly said that a team should be sent and talks should be held. So, BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari is doing drama in the territory of Bengal but the responsibility is on their party, Delhi government,” he added.