BJP Diamond Harbour candidate booked under POCSO Act

Kolkata: BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, Nilanjan Roy has been booked under the POCSO Act for allegedly sexually molesting a minor girl inside a house at Falta. The West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) sources said the body received a complaint from the alleged victim against the inactiveness of the state police in arresting the accused. The body has asked the state Chief Electoral Officer on Friday to take necessary action against Roy within 24 hours and the police to arrest him under the POCSO Act.

Significantly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to attend an election campaign meeting in support of Roy's candidature next week.

The incident took place on April 26 when the victim girl went to meet Roy to complain about some BJP workers misbehaviour at Falta in South 24-Parganas. It is alleged that when the girl went there, Roy molested her.

"The next day a complaint was lodged at the Falta police station. Medical examination of the girl has been completed and her statement recorded but the police are yet to arrest the BJP candidate who has been booked under POCSO Act," said Ananya Chatterjee Chakraborti, chairperson of WBCPCR.

As no police action was visible, the victim girl's family members approached the WBCPCR. Upon receiving the information, Chakraborti along with other members of the WBCPCR visited the victim at her residence on Friday. Later, the concerned police station was ordered to arrest Roy.

Also, the WBCPCR informed the Election Commission (EC) and sources informed that the EC has sought a police report on the incident to take necessary steps.

Roy, originally from South Dinajpur, joined the BJP from Congress in July last year. After joining the BJP, Roy literally challenged the Congress leadership in the state. Later, during the announcement of candidature, Roy was nominated for Diamond Harbour constituency to contest against Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee.