Couple Whipped in Bengal: Police Add Harsher Charges of Attempted Murder and Molestation

Police have added more serious charges, including attempted murder and molestation, against a TMC member accused of publicly whipping a man and a woman in Uttar Dinajpur district, West Bengal. The incident was allegedly due to accusations of an extramarital affair.

The accused, Tajimul Hossain, also known as JCB, was arrested on Sunday. He was brought before the Islampur sub-divisional court on Monday, where the police were granted five days to keep him in custody.

A video showing the man and woman being whipped, kicked, and punched at a “salishi sabha” (a type of informal court) went viral, causing widespread outrage. Following this, the police filed a case on their own initiative. The informal court was reportedly called after the couple was accused of having an extramarital affair.

The man leading the assault was later identified by the police as Hossain.

“A case has been started under IPC sections 323, 325, 354, 307, and 34. These sections cover attempted murder, assault with the intent to outrage a woman’s modesty, voluntarily causing grievous hurt, and common intention,” said a senior police officer.

The incident occurred in Uttar Dinajpur district on June 28. Sources say about 200 people were present when the “punishment” was carried out.

Opposition parties have criticized the Trinamool Congress (TMC) leadership, calling it ‘Talibani Rule’ and claiming that law and order have broken down in Bengal. However, TMC leaders condemned the incident and emphasized that the accused has been arrested.

BJP state president and MP Sukanta Majumder claimed that the accused is closely associated with TMC MLA Hamidul Islam. “Such incidents are happening frequently, showing that people have no faith in the administration. It seems some TMC leaders think they are in a separate country within India. Law and order have collapsed,” he said.

Former Rajya Sabha MP of TMC Shaunak Sen stated, “Our party and the government do not support such actions. The police took action on their own, and the main accused has been arrested. The victim is now under police protection. Anyone else involved will also face consequences.”

“TMC has zero tolerance for such incidents. Unlike during the Left rule and in BJP-ruled states, where such incidents were neither condemned nor acted upon, we take immediate action. That’s the difference,” Sen added.