Protests after minor’s gang rape in Hind Motor factory
Times of India | 11 January 2026
Uttarpara: A youth, Dipankar Adhikari, alias Sonai, who flaunted his political connections in the Uttarpara-Konnagar belt, was arrested for the alleged gang rape of a minor inside the closed Hind Motor factory, where the Ambassador car was manufactured until just over a decade ago. Another youth was detained and police are on the lookout for a third accused.
The incident led to outrage among locals. BJP and SUCI workers, too, staged protests at the Uttarpara PS. It was after Chandannagar Commissionerate CP Amit P Javalgi reached there and announced Adhikari's arrest that the situation was brought under control.
The minor girl underwent a medical test. A case was registered under the Pocso Act, with Adhikari being produced in Serampore court. The accused alleged he was being framed and appealed for help from Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee. But Trinamool functionaries clarified the accused did not hold any position in the party. "The party never endorses such misconduct," said a local Trinamool functionary, Kalachand Banerjee.
According to the complaint, lodged by the survivor on Friday, she went to the closed factory, where her father leased a pond to farm fish. She was accompanied by a female friend. She claimed Adhikari and two others scared her friend away and raped her. That very day, an audio recording surfaced, purportedly of the accused, threatening a businessman involved in fish farming in Hindmotor.
The incident started a political controversy with the BJP and Left pointing fingers at the Trinamool. But Priyanka Adhikari, Trinamool youth president of the Hooghly Serampore organisational district, maintained the accused was not a party office-bearer. Indrajit Ghosh, vice-chairman, Uttarpara-Kotrung municipality and Trinamool block president, said police took immediate action and that the party did not shield criminals.
The survivor's legal adviser, Shubhadeep Nath, expressed hope for justice.