The ruling TMC in West Bengal faced criticism from the Opposition BJP and CPM on Sunday after a TMC official was filmed whipping and assaulting a woman and a man in public over an alleged extramarital affair. The incident took place at a salishi sabha (kangaroo court), and the Opposition compared it to Taliban-style justice.
The incident occurred on June 28 in the Lakhipur gram panchayat area of Chopra block in Uttar Dinajpur district. Public outrage grew after a video of the assault appeared online.
Tajimul Islam, a TMC functionary known locally as JCB, was identified as the person mercilessly whipping the man and woman after they were dragged into the sabha surrounded by people.
As the clip circulated on social media, the police acted quickly, arrested Tajimul Islam, and brought him to Islampur police station.
Earlier, Islampur SP Joby Thomas K said, “We have registered a suo motu case regarding the incident in Chopra. We are working to arrest the accused and will take action according to the law.”
The Islampur district police stated, “Some are trying to spread misinformation about an incident in Chopra PS under Islampur PD. The police quickly identified and arrested the person who publicly assaulted a woman. A suo motu case has been started by the police. The victim has been given police security, and the investigation is ongoing.”
The video shows a woman in a yellow kurta and a man in shirt and trousers surrounded by a group of men. They are thrown to the ground, screaming and pleading for mercy as they are whipped with a broom. Tajimul Islam, a man in a black T-shirt, is seen leading the assault.
Sources said the incident occurred at a salishi sabha with about 200 people present at a local primary school ground on June 28.
The victims are so frightened that they haven’t lodged a police complaint even two days after the incident, sources added.
The Opposition criticized the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, claiming the incident highlights the breakdown of law and order in the state.
Sukanta Majumdar, Minister of State at the Centre and BJP state president, posted on X, saying, “A local goon known as JCB carried out a summary trial and punishment under @AITCofficial’s watch. This is bulldozer justice. @MamataOfficial’s rule is deeply concerning and reminiscent of #KangarooCourt practices.”
Majumdar told The Indian Express, “The situation resembles Taliban rule in Bengal. It’s shocking how TMC-affiliated individuals brutally assaulted the man and woman. The man seen in the video is linked to a TMC MLA. The administration and police have not responded adequately.”
CPM’s Md Salim also criticized the incident and denounced the TMC. In a post on X, he said, “This isn’t even kangaroo court justice! A local TMC functionary known as JCB conducted a summary trial and punishment. It’s like bulldozer justice in Chopra under Mamata Banerjee’s rule.”
Under scrutiny, TMC district president Kanaiyalal Agarwal stated, “The man and woman were involved in an extramarital relationship. Both are married. Local residents were upset about this, leading to the salishi sabha. However, we do not endorse Tajimul’s actions. I understand that the police have initiated legal proceedings. We will also investigate the involvement of the party worker.”
Hamidul Rehman, TMC MLA from Chopra, stated, “The person shown in the video, who is accused, does not hold any official position within the party. Everyone in Chopra is associated with the Trinamool Congress, and there is no opposition.”
Rehman accused the woman victim, stating, “That’s why the kangaroo court was convened. However, the locals went too far with them. This behavior is unacceptable, and we have criticized it.”
