In two separate corners of India, gruesome rape cases in Kolkata and Badlapur have become flashpoints, with political forces seemingly working to shield themselves rather than seeking justice for the victims. In West Bengal, the BJP has launched a scathing attack on chief minister Mamata Banerjee following the rape and murder of a trainee doctor in Kolkata. Meanwhile, Congress is capitalizing on the horror in Badlapur, where two young schoolgirls were sexually assaulted, to put pressure on the BJP-led Maharashtra government. These heinous crimes have led to a political blame game that detracts from the core issue – the safety of women and the need for accountability. In both cases, the focus has shifted from justice for the victims to a battle of political supremacy. In Kolkata, the CBI’s investigation into the rape and murder of the trainee doctor has revealed troubling details. The crime scene was reportedly tampered with, a fact that raises questions about the local police’s involvement and the larger political machinery at play. Despite this, progress in the investigation has been slow, with no arrests made thus far. The involvement of chief minister Mamata Banerjee, who holds the dual portfolios of Home and Health Minister, further complicates matters. The possibility of her being summoned for questioning by the CBI has created a tense atmosphere in the state, with fears of unrest should this occur.
The Supreme Court’s intervention, which demanded a status report from the CBI, has done little to move the needle. The report, submitted in a sealed cover, indicates that the investigation is bogged down by the same issues that have plagued similar cases – political interference and a compromised police force. The West Bengal government, with senior counsel Kapil Sibal defending it, appears to be in damage control mode, with the opposition BJP keen to leverage the case to weaken Mamata Banerjee’s position. In Maharashtra, the situation is equally grim. Congress MLA and leader of the opposition Vijay Wadettiwar has been vocal in his criticism of chief minister Eknath Shinde and deputy chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, accusing them of failing to protect women in the state. The sexual assault of the two young girls in Badlapur sparked public outrage, with citizens blocking trains in protest.
As the Maharashtra Assembly elections loom, the Congress is using this case to gain political mileage, while the BJP struggles to manage the fallout. The creation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the establishment of a fast-track court by the Shinde-Fadnavis government are steps in the right direction, but they seem more like damage control measures than genuine attempts to deliver justice. The stark reality is that in both Kolkata and Badlapur, political leaders are more concerned with protecting their own interests than ensuring justice for the victims. As the Supreme Court continues to monitor the Kolkata case and Maharashtra grapples with the fallout from the Badlapur incident, the common citizen is left questioning whether justice will ever be served. The unfortunate reality is that in India today, whether in Kolkata, Badlapur, or elsewhere, crime often finds a saviour in politics, leaving the victims and their families to fend for themselves in a system that is skewed in favour of the powerful.
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