Trinamool Leader Accused Of Raping Woman Who Wanted “Cut Money” Returned

A Trinamool leader and three of his accomplices have been accused of gang-raping a woman in West Bengal's Jalpaiguri district for demanding that he return "cut money" she had paid in order to be made a beneficiary in a housing scheme.

Citing media reports, the National Commission for Women has asked West Bengal Director General of Police Virendra to intervene in the case.

The term "cut money" refers to illegal commissions allegedly charged by politicians and government officials from people in return for providing them with benefits due to them. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had admitted earlier this year that leaders of her party may have indulged in such activities. "I do not want to keep thieves in my party. Some leaders are claiming 25 per cent commission for providing housing grants to the poor. This should stop immediately. If any of you have taken such money, return it immediately," she had said back then.