Probe launched after woman paraded in Bengal

KOLKATA - The West Bengal Commission for Women (WBCW) Thursday said it was investigating reports of a woman being paraded with a slipper in her mouth for allegedly stealing an ornament in South 24-Parganas district earlier this month.

We have asked the South 24-Parganas police superintendent to submit a detailed report of the case within 15 days. After seeing the report, we will take necessary action against the accused, WBCW chairperson Malini Bhattacharya told IANS over phone.

Fatema Bibi was asked to parade with her colleagues shoe in her mouth by the manager of a plastics factory in Falta Special Economic Zone Jan 14 after the woman staffer complained that Fatema had stolen a silver ornament from her, police said.

Despite her repeated assertions that she had not stolen the ornament, the manager forced her to parade with the shoe in her mouth for over three hours. She was even beaten up by the other colleagues, who also tried to molest her, one of Fatema’s neighbours said.

Fatema, 32, is a resident of Shukdebpur village in Nurpur panchayat area.

A complaint was lodged at the Ramgarh police station, following which the manager of the plastic factory was arrested Monday.

Fatema is reluctant to resume work in the factory, her neighbour said.

The police superintendent has informed us that the accused manager was arrested. We have also asked the police administration to make necessary arrangements for her security and safety, Malini said, adding that the commission ordered the probe on its own initiative.

We are ready to extend all help to Fatema, she added.