In a bid to provide justice, the West Bengal Commission for Women Thursday ordered a probe into the gang rape of a tribal woman allegedly at the behest of a kangaroo court.
Taking suo motu cognizance of the horrific incident that has raised the heckles across the state, it demanded harshest punishment for the perpetrators.
According to sources, the 20-year-old woman was allegedly raped by more than a dozen men on Monday night in Subalpur village in Birbhum district, some 180 km from Kolkata. Thirteen people have been arrested so far.
According to Sunanda Mukherjee, commission chairperson, "We have taken a suo motu cognizance of the case and are probing the matter. We will ensure that the perpetrators of the crime, including the tribal headman who ordered the barbarism, is meted out harshest punishment.”
Mukherjee also laid emphasis on the need for sensitising the tribal communities in the state to prevent such incidents.
The woman, who was subjected to the brutality for having an affair with a man outside her community, has been admitted to hospital in a critical condition.
Meanwhile, the 13 accused, including the headman who ordered the barbarism, arrested after a complaint was filed by the victim's family Wednesday night, will be presented before a court.
"The woman was allegedly gang-raped on the orders of a shalishi sabha (kangaroo court) after it found she had an affair with a man outside her community. We have arrested 13 people and they are being presented before a court where we will seek their custody," Superintendent of Police C. Sudhakar said.
Sudhakar said raids are being conducted in and around the village to find if more people were involved.
The woman, who is undergoing treatment at the Suri Sadar Hopsital, said she was left at the mercy of the men of her village after she was unable to pay Rs.50,000 as a fine demanded by the morol (headman) for having an affair with a man outside her community.
(With inputs from IANS)
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