West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari is scheduled to visit Baruipur on Tuesday in the wake of the alleged rape and murder of a minor that has triggered widespread outrage across the state. Even as political leaders from across party lines reached the victim's village, a Trinamool Congress delegation led by Ritabrata Banerjee faced protests from locals, who allegedly raised slogans branding them as "traitors."
The Chief Minister is expected to visit the Baruipur Police District Superintendent's office around noon, where the victim's parents have also been called. Officials said Suvendu Adhikari is likely to meet the bereaved family and review the progress of the investigation.
Earlier in the day, Director General of Police Siddhinath Gupta visited the crime scene to assess the investigation.
'Gaddar! Beimaan!'
A TMC delegation led by Leader of Opposition (LoP), Ritabrata Banerjee visited the victim's residence on Tuesday morning. The delegation, which also included former minister Chandrima Bhattacharya, reportedly encountered protests from local residents before entering the house. TMC's rebel MP Saayoni Ghosh faced slogans such as "Gaddar" (traitor), "Beimaan" (dishonest), and "Balishchata", expressing anger over the party's handling of the case.
Despite the protests, the delegation later met the victim's family and expressed condolences.
The delegation included former Trinamool MP Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar and MP Sayani Ghosh—both of whom have recently joined the NCPI after leaving the Trinamool Congress—also visited the victim's residence.
"We want the government to take the strictest possible action against those responsible. The Chief Minister has assured us of that," Sayani Ghosh told reporters after meeting the family.
Demanding the harshest punishment for the accused, she added, "We are seeking capital punishment for those involved."
Indian Secular Front (ISF) MLA Naushad Siddique also visited the victim's family at around 10 am and assured them of his support.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also sent a delegation led by state minister Agnimitra Paul and BJP general secretary Locket Chatterjee. After meeting the family, Agnimitra Paul condemned the incident and called for exemplary punishment.
"The victim's religion or age is not the issue. What matters is that a girl has been subjected to a brutal crime. We will pursue this case until justice is delivered, and the accused receive the maximum punishment," Paul said.
The alleged rape and murder of the minor has sparked political reactions across party lines, with leaders demanding a swift investigation and stringent action against those responsible. Police are currently investigating the case as one of alleged gang rape and murder, and three persons, including the prime accused, have been arrested so far.
