In a horrifying incident that has shaken West Bengal, a four-year-old girl was allegedly kidnapped and sexually assaulted near a railway shed in Tarakeshwar, Hooghly district. The child, who was asleep beside her grandmother, was found the next day in a critical condition with injuries and bite marks on her cheeks, prompting widespread outrage and demands for accountability from authorities.

The case has drawn intense media attention, political condemnation, and calls for a swift investigation, raising questions about law enforcement, hospital procedures, and the safety of children in public spaces. Officials confirmed that an FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the law, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrator.

1. Kidnapping While Sleeping Beside Grandmother

According to reports, the incident took place on Friday when the child, belonging to the Banjara community, was sleeping under a mosquito net on a cot beside her grandmother at a railway shed in Tarakeshwar. The family alleges that the perpetrator cut through the mosquito net to abduct the child, splitting it open in a premeditated act.

The grandmother, who was reportedly asleep at the time, claimed she did not realize the child had been taken until hours later. The audacity of the abduction in a public space and under the care of an adult relative has sent shockwaves through the local community, highlighting serious concerns about safety in and around railway premises.

2. Discovery in a Pool of Blood

Panic gripped the community after the child was reported missing. Following an intensive search that lasted several hours, the four-year-old was found on Saturday afternoon lying near a drain beside the Tarakeshwar railway station. She was reportedly in a pool of blood, visibly injured and in a critical state.

The child was initially rushed to Tarakeshwar Gramin Hospital, where she received first aid, and was later referred to the Chandannagar sub-divisional hospital for specialized care. Reports suggest that she remains in critical condition, with ongoing medical interventions aimed at stabilizing her health and addressing extensive injuries.

3. Found Naked with Bite Marks on Cheeks

According to Parna Adak, secretary of the BJP’s Arambagh district, the child was discovered naked, bleeding, and with visible bite marks on her cheeks. Medical reports indicate that she continued to bleed from her genital area despite treatment, underscoring the severity of the assault.

The gruesome nature of the attack has intensified public outrage, with activists, politicians, and citizens condemning the crime as not only a violent assault on a child but also an alarming reflection of systemic failures in protecting minors in vulnerable settings.

4. Allegations of Mishandling by Medical Authorities

The survivor’s family has accused the staff at Tarakeshwar Gramin Hospital of mishandling the case. According to them, the hospital provided only first aid before discharging the child and did not immediately inform the police about the nature of the injuries.

The family further alleged that when they later approached the local police station, they were reportedly asked to leave, leaving them in a state of confusion and desperation. These claims have raised concerns about procedural lapses, including delays in registering the FIR and providing immediate medical and legal support for victims of sexual violence.

In response, TMC leader and Tarakeshwar MLA Ramendu Singha Roy stated that the family might have left the police station before the FIR was formally registered, possibly due to confusion over the child’s medical treatment. He added that the administration later ensured that all necessary medical arrangements were made and attributed the incident to a “security failure” by the Railway police.

5. Political Condemnation and Accusations

The incident has sparked intense political reactions. Nandigram BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari accused the Mamata Banerjee-led government of attempting to suppress the crime to maintain a facade of law and order. “This is the true face of Mamata Banerjee’s free-for-all regime. A child’s life is shattered, yet the police are shielding the state’s fake law-and-order image,” Adhikari stated on X.

He went on to describe the police as acting as sycophants to the state government rather than upholding their constitutional duty, asserting that the state has “hit rock bottom” under the current administration. Meanwhile, the ruling Trinamool Congress has defended its handling, emphasizing that medical and legal protocols were followed once the family returned to the authorities.

Context and Implications

This case has reignited debate over child safety in West Bengal, particularly in areas like railway premises and public spaces that are often crowded and under-monitored. It also raises broader questions about the effectiveness of local authorities in responding to crimes against children and the systemic challenges in providing timely medical and police intervention.

The tragic incident underscores the vulnerability of children, especially in socioeconomically marginalized communities, where safety nets may be limited. It has also brought to light the need for stringent monitoring around public spaces and rapid coordination between healthcare providers, law enforcement, and child protection agencies to prevent similar tragedies.

Legal and Social Dimensions

Under the POCSO Act, the investigation into such cases is supposed to be fast-tracked, with mandatory reporting by hospitals and prompt action by the police. The allegations of procedural lapses and delays, if proven, could have serious legal consequences for those responsible, including medical staff and law enforcement personnel.

Civil society and child rights organizations have called for an independent inquiry to ensure justice for the child and prevent any further mishandling. Public outrage on social media has also amplified demands for stricter accountability and better safeguarding measures to protect children from such heinous crimes.

Conclusion

The kidnapping and assault of a four-year-old girl in Tarakeshwar is a grim reminder of the ongoing challenges in protecting children in public spaces. While the authorities have registered FIRs and begun investigations, questions remain regarding procedural efficiency and the effectiveness of existing safeguards.

As the case unfolds, it highlights the urgent need for comprehensive measures to safeguard children, ensure rapid and sensitive medical and legal response, and hold perpetrators accountable. It also brings into focus the responsibility of political leaders, law enforcement, and healthcare institutions to prioritize the welfare of the most vulnerable and restore public trust in the systems designed to protect them.