Landmark Conviction: CBI Secures First Guilty Verdict in West Bengal Post-Poll Violence Case Involving Minor’s Rape
(Judicial Quest News Network)
2, July, 2025-In a significant legal milestone, the trial of a heinous post-poll violence (PPV) case related to the rape of a minor concluded today, 2 July 2025, marking the first conviction secured by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in the series of PPV cases in West Bengal.
Following the declaration of the West Bengal Assembly election results on 2 May 2021, widespread violence erupted across the state. Numerous incidents of murder, rape, and attempted rape were reported, prompting several writ petitions in the Hon’ble Calcutta High Court and urgent attention from the Human Rights Commission.
In response, a five-judge bench of the High Court ordered on 19 August 2021 that serious crimes—specifically involving murder and sexual violence—be handed over to the CBI for investigation. Dedicated teams were formed with officers from across the country, and special counsels were appointed to expedite the prosecution process.
One such case involved the rape of a 9-year-old girl in the Manickchak area of Malda district. The accused, Rafikul Islam alias Bhelu, a retired government school teacher, lured the child into his mango orchard and sexually assaulted her on 4 June 2021. The harrowing incident was witnessed by the victim’s cousin, also a minor, who provided crucial testimony.
After a detailed trial, the Additional District & Sessions Judge, 2nd (POCSO Court), Malda, pronounced the accused guilty under Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Section 376AB of the Indian Penal Code—both pertaining to rape of a minor below 12 years.
The sentence is scheduled to be announced on 4 July 2025. This conviction marks a critical step forward in delivering justice in cases arising from the 2021 post-election unrest in West Bengal.
The prosecution was led by Amitava Maitra, Special Public Prosecutor, CBI.
