Amid a social media uproar following the rape and murder of a 31-year-old doctor in Kolkata, the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights has intervened in response to a rape threat made against the 11-year-old daughter of Abhishek Banerjee, a Trinamool Congress MP and the party’s national general secretary. Banerjee, who is the nephew of West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, is considered the second-in-command of the Trinamool Congress.

The Commission has taken suo motu cognizance of a video from a protest rally concerning the horrific August 9 incident at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. The video shows an individual threatening Banerjee’s young daughter with rape and offering a ₹10 crore reward for anyone who carries out the act. The Commission has condemned this statement as a severe violation of the minor’s modesty and a threat to her safety.

The Commission has urged the police to take action under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Juvenile Justice Act, and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. They emphasized that such threats not only endanger the targeted child but also set a dangerous precedent that could jeopardize other minors.

The Commission has demanded an action-taken report from the police within two days. Senior Trinamool leader Derek O’Brien criticized the threats on X (formerly Twitter), condemning the actions and urging an end to such intimidation.

Kolkata and the surrounding areas are currently experiencing widespread protests over the doctor’s tragic death. The Mamata Banerjee-led state government and the ruling Trinamool Congress are facing criticism for their handling of the case. The state government has accused the BJP and CPM of instigating unrest. Following a Calcutta High Court order, the investigation has been transferred to the CBI. Prior to this, the Kolkata Police had arrested one suspect, Sanjoy Roy, but the CBI has yet to make any further arrests.