Did Trinamool Expel Councillor for Rape Allegations?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Immediate expulsion of the councillor indicates a strict stance on misconduct.
- The party emphasizes transparency and accountability in its actions.
- Victims are encouraged to come forward with their allegations.
- The decision was made after careful consideration by party leadership.
- Ongoing investigations highlight the seriousness of the allegations.
Kolkata, Oct 30 (NationPress) The Trinamool Congress has taken swift action by expelling a councillor from the Birbhum district following serious allegations of raping a woman under the false pretense of marriage. This decisive move came just a day after police lodged a case against him.
Priyanath Sau, who served as the vice-president of the Rampurhat city Trinamool committee, faced expulsion after receiving directives from Abhishek Banerjee, the national general secretary of the party and its leader in the Lok Sabha.
The complaint against Sau, which led to an FIR being filed, was made by a young woman who claimed he misrepresented his marital status and engaged in a physical relationship with her, promising to marry her before ultimately breaking that promise.
Deputy Speaker of the West Bengal Assembly and Rampurhat MLA, Ashish Banerjee, confirmed the disciplinary measures at the party’s office on Thursday afternoon.
“Our leader, Abhishek Banerjee, does not make hasty decisions. He thoroughly reviewed the situation before ordering the expulsion of the councillor indefinitely,” Banerjee informed the media.
The victim stated in her complaint that she first met Sau in 2015 while working on her voter identity card. Despite being married with a child, he allegedly concealed this information from her and repeatedly assaulted her for years, assuring her of marriage.
“When my family approached him later for marriage, he denied it, claiming he was already married,” the complaint detailed.
A senior police officer from the Birbhum district confirmed the initiation of an investigation into the case. “We have registered a case and are examining all angles of the allegations,” the officer stated.
As of Thursday evening, no arrests had been made in connection with the accusations against the councillor.
This expulsion highlights the Trinamool Congress's commitment to addressing image-sensitive issues, emphasizing that individuals with criminal charges will not be protected or tolerated.