'NCW chief Rekha Sharma, BJP leaders coerced Sandeshkhali women to sign blank papers': TMC files EC complaint

livemint.com:

"false rape complaints" without women's consent. "The revelation of a deep-rooted conspiracy involving NCW's Chairperson Smt. Rekha Sharma and BJP leaders coercing innocent, uneducated women of Sandeshkhali to sign blank papers for filing false rape complaints, is a stark betrayal of trust by the member(s) of NCW," the complaint read.

In the complaint, the TMC referred to an interview where a woman from Sandeshkhali shared her distressing experience. According to the party, the woman had stated that she was coerced, through threats of violence by Rekha Sharma and Piyali Das, to sign a blank paper without knowing its purpose. "Later, when the police issued her a notice, she learnt that she had been made a de-facto complainant in a rape case and she realised that her signature was used to file a false rape complaint without her consent," the TMC said.

The party further claimed that when the woman tried to withdraw the complaint, she was subjected to intimidation and threats from local BJP members, especially from Piyali Das. The BJP leader had allegedly threatened the women with dire consequences if she resisted or tried to withdraw the complaint, the party said. ALSO READ: TMC vs BJP over Sandeshkhali 'sting video' explained: Mamata Banerjee says 'Bangla-Birodhis orchestrated conspiracy' West Bengal's ruling party said that such illegal acts have caused terror in the minds of the general public during the ensuing general elections.