'Video Made Without Consent', Claims Bengal Woman Beaten Publicly; BJP, TMC Spar

Bengal: A woman, who was seen in a viral video being beaten publicly along with a man in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district, has now claimed that the footage was recorded without her permission. Undergoing treatment at a government hospital, the victim stated that she had filed a written complaint with the police, seeking action against those who filmed the incident. The woman had alleged that she was thrashed by an aide of a Trinamool Congress MLA in the Chopra area over allegations of having an extramarital affair.

"I don't know who made my video viral. I have submitted a written complaint at the police station against whoever made it viral. Someone made that video viral without my permission. I have appealed to the police to ensure punishment against those who did it. I have full faith in the police," she reportedly said.

Attempt to Murder Charges Against TMC Strongman

Police have levelled serious charges, including an attempt to murder, assault with intent to outrage the modesty of a woman, and causing grievous hurt, against arrested Trinamool Congress strongman Tajemul Islam in the Chopra flogging case.

Islam, who was remanded to police custody for five days by a local court in West Bengal’s Uttar Dinajpur on Monday, also has 12 old criminal cases, including a murder case, pending against him.

He was arrested on Sunday after a video surfaced which showed him mercilessly caning a couple in Chopra. Islam, a close associate of Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahman, was previously arrested in 2023 for his alleged role in the murder of CPI(M) leader Mansur Naimul just before the panchayat election.

‘Talibani rule in West Bengal’

Union Minister and West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the police were colluding with the state government and that the public flogging was ordered by Chopra MLA Hamidul Rahaman.  "There is a Talibani rule in West Bengal. There is a rise in mob lynching incidents starting from Cooch Behar to Chopra. Such incidents will go on and happen in front of the police. People have lost trust in the police. We can't even see the police even through a microscope. This has been done on MLA Hamidul Rahaman's orders," he told reporters.  

Meanwhile, four BJP women legislators staged a demonstration outside the West Bengal assembly for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, protesting against the assault on the couple in North Dinajpur district and the alleged torture of the woman in Cooch Behar.

BJP MLA Agnimitra Paul and three other legislators staged the protest, demanding punishment for those involved in the two incidents.

Governor Seeks Report From CM

A massive controversy erupted after a video of a man and a woman being whipped, kicked and punched at a “salishi sabha (kangaroo court)” went viral. 

Governor CV Ananda Bose sought a report from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, while the BJP accused the ruling TMC of "unleashing Taliban rule" in the state. Bose is scheduled to arrive in Chopra later today, where he plans to meet the victims and local residents and submit a report on his findings to the central government.

"Islam is a known strongman in the locality and has a criminal record. His name came to the forefront in a murder case in Chopra in 2021. Our officers have started grilling him," the IPS officer said.