Dum Dum POCSO arrest: Man held for sexually assaulting minor, TMC ex-councillor's husband under scanner
Synopsis
A man in Dum Dum allegedly lured a minor girl with a mobile phone before sexually assaulting her — and when the mother sought help from a local TMC ex-councillor, her husband allegedly threatened the family into silence. The accused is now in custody under POCSO, but the political angle has deepened public outrage in North 24 Parganas.
Key Takeaways
Billal Ghazi , 40 , was arrested in Ward No.
2, Dum Dum Municipality , North 24 Parganas , on Sunday, 20 July .
He allegedly lured a minor girl with a mobile phone and sexually assaulted her in a toilet on the premises.
A case has been registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act ; he will be produced in court.
Jalil Mandal , husband of former TMC councillor Baby Mandal , allegedly threatened the victim's mother to stay silent — he is under scrutiny but has not been arrested.
Local residents are demanding the strictest punishment for the accused and action against Jalil Mandal .
A 40-year-old man was arrested in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Sunday evening for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl after luring her with a mobile phone, police confirmed on Monday, 20 July. The incident has triggered a sharp public outcry in Ward No. 2 of Dum Dum Municipality, with residents and the victim's family demanding the strictest punishment under law.
What Allegedly Happened
According to police, the accused — identified as Billal Ghazi, a resident of the locality living in rented accommodation — allegedly took the minor girl to a toilet on Sunday evening and sexually assaulted her while keeping her distracted with a mobile phone. At the time, the child's mother was occupied with cooking and was unaware of the incident. A neighbour alerted her, and she rushed to the spot to find her daughter being assaulted.
Alleged Attempt to Suppress the Complaint
The victim's mother initially approached Baby Mandal, a former Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor, for help. However, according to allegations, Baby Mandal's husband, Jalil Mandal, did not support the family. He allegedly threatened the mother to leave the premises and warned her not to speak about the incident to anyone. Jalil Mandal has since come under the scanner of local residents and opposition voices, though police have confirmed that no action has been taken against him yet as the investigation is ongoing.
Arrest and Legal Action
The child's family subsequently reached out to the local party office, with whose assistance a formal complaint was filed at Dum Dum Police Station. Police arrived at the scene and arrested Billal Ghazi. A case has been registered against him under provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. He is set to be produced before a court, where police will seek his custody for further interrogation.
Community Outrage and Demands
The incident has provoked considerable anger in the neighbourhood. Local residents have taken to the streets demanding the harshest legal punishment for the accused. They have also called for action against Jalil Mandal over the alleged attempt to intimidate the victim's family into silence. This comes amid a broader pattern of POCSO cases in West Bengal drawing public attention to child safety and the accountability of local political figures.
What Happens Next
Police have stated that the investigation is underway and that the matter involving Jalil Mandal's alleged conduct is being examined. The accused, Billal Ghazi, faces charges under the POCSO Act and will appear before a court shortly. Authorities are yet to make any further arrests.
Point of View
It points to a pattern that child protection advocates have long flagged: the first barrier to justice in many assault cases is not law enforcement but local power structures. West Bengal has seen repeated controversies over political interference in sensitive cases. The fact that the complaint was eventually filed — reportedly with help from a party office — raises its own questions about which intermediaries victims must navigate before reaching the police. That is a structural failure independent of the outcome of this particular case.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Dum Dum minor assault case?
Billal Ghazi , a 40-year-old resident of the locality in Ward No. 2, Dum Dum Municipality , was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor girl. He has been charged under the POCSO Act and will be produced before a court.
What is the role of Jalil Mandal in this case?
Jalil Mandal , husband of former TMC councillor Baby Mandal , allegedly threatened the victim's mother and told her not to report the incident to anyone. He has come under public scrutiny, but police have not yet taken any action against him as the investigation continues.
Under which law has the accused been charged?
A case has been registered against Billal Ghazi under sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act , which provides for stringent punishment in cases of sexual crimes against minors.
How was the accused arrested?
After the victim's mother was allegedly threatened into silence, the child's family reached the local party office for assistance. With their help, a complaint was filed at Dum Dum Police Station , following which police arrived at the scene and made the arrest.
What are residents demanding?
Local residents and the victim's family are demanding the strictest possible punishment for the accused under POCSO. They are also calling for police action against Jalil Mandal for his alleged role in attempting to suppress the complaint.
