Former TMC MLA Saukat Molla Booked for Rape and Criminal Intimidation

Former TMC MLA Saukat Molla has been booked on charges of rape and criminal intimidation after a complaint was lodged by a woman at Jibantala police station in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, a police officer said on Friday.

"We have received the complaint, and a case has been registered. The allegations are being examined, and an investigation is underway," a senior police officer told PTI.

According to the complaint lodged on Monday, the alleged incidents date back to March 2019, he said.

"The woman claimed that her five-year-old son had been taken away by some anti-social elements, and while trying to secure his return, she came into contact with one of the accused persons," he said, referring to the complaint.

The complainant has further alleged that, thereafter, she was subjected to repeated sexual assault and physical abuse by the accused.

"One of them was reportedly Molla's driver, while another was the driver's brother. The fourth accused has been described by the complainant as the principal conspirator," he stated.

The woman has alleged that she was initially taken to a hideout where she was allegedly raped and assaulted by the driver's brother.

The victim claimed she was threatened that she would not get her child back unless she complied with the demands of the accused, the policeman said.

In her complaint, the woman has also alleged that photographs and videos of the assaults were recorded and later used to blackmail her, the policeman said, adding that she was repeatedly threatened that the material would be made public if she failed to obey the accused.

The complainant also alleged that she was subsequently sent to a location linked to Molla, where the former legislator allegedly raped her. She further accused Molla's driver of sexually assaulting her.

The woman told police that she had remained silent for years out of fear, social stigma and concern for her safety.

The statements of the complainant would be recorded as part of the investigation, and all allegations mentioned in the complaint would be verified, he said.

Incidentally, Molla, who was recently arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in connection with the Bhangar bomb blast case, now faces fresh legal trouble after the woman alleged that she was repeatedly sexually assaulted by him and three of his associates.