Youth arrested in Bengal’s Gaighata for intoxicating, raping minor

Gaighata (West Bengal): A youth was arrested in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, for allegedly raping a minor girl after intoxicating her. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of November 10, but the victim’s parents filed a formal complaint at the Gaighata police station on Wednesday night, leading to the youth’s arrest early Thursday morning.

According to police sources, the victim attended the accused’s birthday party, where he allegedly mixed alcohol with soft drinks that she consumed. After becoming intoxicated, the accused is said to have raped her. Following the incident, he threatened her to keep quiet, which left her in shock and unable to disclose the matter to her parents until Wednesday night.

Upon learning of the assault, the victim’s parents promptly reported it to the police, resulting in the arrest of the accused. A case has been registered under various sections of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and the accused is expected to be presented in court, where the public prosecutor will request police custody.

This incident marks the second reported case of a minor being raped in Gaighata within 11 days. Earlier, on November 3, another youth was arrested for abducting and raping a minor girl, who was known for eve-teasing and was related to a local Trinamool Congress leader.

West Bengal has seen a surge in reports of sexual violence, particularly against minors, over the past three months. One of the most notable cases involved the brutal rape and murder of a junior doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata in August.