State will not oppose relatives of Kamduni rape victim in Supreme Court, will provide them legal aid: Bengal CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. File. | Photo credit: ANI

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday (July 11, 2026) said the TMC waiver was “against” the Kamduni rape-murder victim’s family in their pursuit of justice in the Supreme Court and said his administration would lend a helping hand by providing them with legal aid.

Also Read: Six convicted in Kamdun gangrape and murder case

“The state will not defend them in the Supreme Court. We will support the victim’s family by providing them government lawyers. I will convey my message to our standing counsel,” he told reporters on the 2013 case after meeting the families of the Baruipur rape victim and the man who was lynched as a result.

In 2013, a college student returning home in Kamduni North 24 Parganas was dragged to a farm, gang-raped and murdered. Her mutilated body was found the next morning. The incident has sparked a major outcry in the state due to concerns over women’s safety.

Three years later, the sessions court in the case sentenced three accused to death and three others to life imprisonment. The Calcutta High Court later commuted the death sentences of two to life imprisonment and acquitted the third convict on death row. She reduced the life sentences of three other convicts.

“Sixteen prosecutors were replaced in the Calcutta High Court. The victim’s family then moved to the Supreme Court. We will support them in the Supreme Court by providing government lawyers. The Barasat court verdict was overturned by the Calcutta High Court, after which the matter went to the Supreme Court. Till now the state government has opposed our state, which is against my victim’s family, I will not take my family to the Supreme Court. advisor.” said Mr. Adhikari.

The family of the Kamduni victim approached the Supreme Court claiming that justice had not been served. It was also claimed that the state failed to present essential facts to the courts and the police did not properly investigate the crime.

Mr Adhikari reiterated the BJP government’s zero-tolerance policy on crimes against women and apparently lashed out at his predecessor Mamata Banerjee for her remarks following the alleged rape and murder of women in the state during her rule.

“We assure you that the West Bengal government will leave no loopholes. It will not describe such things as stray incidents or love affairs, nor say the victim was pregnant, nor offer ₹10 crore compensation as compensation for justice,” he said.

After the Kamduni incident, Mamata Banerjee visited the place and faced protests from the locals. She claimed that Maoists were among the protesters, a remark that drew sharp criticism.

Published – 11 Jul 2026 16:29 IST