Guwahati, April 21: Congress leader and leader of the opposition, Debabrata Saikia, on Thursday sent a letter to National Commission for Women (NCW) requesting them to take cognizance and immediate action against the alleged rape of a 13-year-old girl under Bardubi police station in Tinsukia district.

“On March 20, 2023 under the jurisdiction of Bardubi Police Station, a resident of 339 Katoni village, the accused Samendra Rai (58) had committed the heinous crime of rape on a minor girl aged 13 years, resident of the same village. The FIR was registered as Bardubi Police Station Case 39/2023 under Sections 376(3) read with 506 of IPC and relevant provisions of POCSO Act. But it must be brought to your kind attention, that unfortunately no action has been taken against the accused person,” Saikia stated to NCW.

“It must also be brought to your kind notice that Budoni Praja, the mother of the victim has committed suicide on April 14, 2023, due to extreme mental harassment, borne out of the gruesome incident, and due to the failure of the police authorities to take any action against accused person for committing heinous crime against her daughter,” he further started.

“On March 9, 2023, Suku Praja, a senior member of the family was killed by some people from the same village, but even in this case, no action was taken by the authorities. It is pertinent to note here that the accused person, Samendra Rai alias Somudra Rai, is affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (Chairperson, BJP Booth), and has therefore, been able to evade due process of law by unfairly utilizing his political prowess, which is shameful and highly condemnable,” stated Debabrata Saikia, in the letter to NCW.

Saikia added, “At a time when your good office has taken prompt notice on the allegations of harassment alleged by Angkita Dutta, the outgoing IYC Assam president, for which I applaud your office. But, I failed to understand why the office of the NCW has failed to take cognizance of a heinous crime of rape and abetment to suicide committed by a BJP leader. Hence, it is our utmost hope and sincere prayers that adequate importance and urgency is shown in the matter of rape of a 13-year-old daughter of Assam and the same is not curbed through political pressure emanating from the ruling party. Therefore, it is requested to take immediate legal action against the accused person as per the law.”