Gangrape charge against TMC netas

Sheikh Shahjahan’s another aide arrested as Sandeshkhali continues to remain on the boil

- PRANAB MONDAL

ADDING more embarrassment to West Bengal's ruling party, the Sandeshkhali stir took a serious turn on Saturday after the police added gangrape and attempt to murder charges to a case against two Trinamool Congress satraps who are known to be aides of TMC strongman Shahjahan Sheikh in the party's North 24-Parganas' turf.

The police action corroborating the allegations laid down by women in Sandeshkhali came after a woman, who already lodged a complaint with the law-keepers, gave a statement before the magistrate of a court in Basirhat two days ago. The police petitioned before the court seeking permission to add two stringent IPC sections, 376D (gangrape) and 307 (attempt to murder) which was granted.

The police, however, said the woman did not mention about sexual assault on her in her complaint.