Newly-elected BTC member accused in a minor's rape case

GUWAHATI: A newly-elected member of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) hailing from the ruling Gana Surkasha Party (GSP) was found guilty in a minor's rape case last year. Reports have it that Ghanashyam Das was registered on grounds of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and even arrested, although he was released on bail after a few months.

Ghanashyam Das was sworn-in on Tuesday as an executive member of the Council and had won the contest from the Dihira seat. As the reports came to light, Child Rights Activist and the media have been trying to reach Das although he remains holed up in a Guwahati hotel.

Allegedly, Das had raped the 15-year-old girl employed as a domestic help in a residence at Guwahati's Patharquari area in April last year. Das raped her by offering to ward off evil on her employer's family. At the time of this incident he was still serving as a BTC member although  he was arrested by Guwahati police.

The entire incident resurfaced when the minor gave birth to a child in a private hospital and its authorities informed the Child welfare department. "Questioning of the girl revealed she was allegedly raped by Das,"  said Miguel Das Queah, a Guwahati-based child rights activist. Following the girl's testimony, Queah filed an FIR against Ghanashyam Das and he was arrsted under the provisions of the POCSO Act.The case is currently at framing of charges stage according to Queah and trial is yet to begin. In the meantime, Das managed to get elected from BTC again.

Notably, the minor girl and the child have been since living in a girl's home based in Guwahati, but they have been reported missing for the last few months. Referring to their missing, the Activist said they are going to file a missing person report this week seeking the whereabouts of the victim and her child. It will also thereby be ensured that Das is not able to influence the victim.

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