Kolkata (West Bengal) [India], June 30 (ANI): Calling crimes against women in West Bengal a 'pattern now,' BJP leader Satpal Singh on Monday led a fact-finding team to South Kolkata following the alleged gangrape of a female student inside South Calcutta Law College on June 25.

'The kind of incidents taking place in West Bengal are not just incidents, it's a pattern now,' Singh said, addressing a press conference after the team's visit. 'Crimes against women in the state are increasing even after having a woman as the Chief Minister,' the BJP leader added.

The BJP team comprised former Union Ministers Satpal Singh and Meenakshi Lekhi, Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra, and Lok Sabha MP Biplab Kumar Deb. They met senior police officials and assessed the ongoing investigation.

'We have not just come here to catalyse the investigation into the gangrape case that took place in South Calcutta Law College, but we have come here to give a message that every member of the BJP, every citizen of this country, stands with the women of West Bengal,' Singh said. He also questioned how a person with four prior criminal cases could be admitted to a law college. 'There are so many cases of crimes against women where FIRs are also not being registered,' he added.

BJP leader Meenakshi Lekhi echoed these concerns, questioning the silence of the ruling Trinamool Congress on growing crimes against women. 'The basic question is, why are crimes against women happening in a state which has a woman as a Chief Minister?... Is the current government planning on addressing and taking action against the growing cases of crimes against women, or not?' she said.

Rajya Sabha MP Manan Kumar Mishra went further to allege political protection for the accused.'The failures and the shortcomings of the government, the police, and the investigative agencies clearly indicate the involvement of the ruling party in all crimes,' he said.

Mishra added, 'The main accused has relations with the TMC, is a history-sheeter, and has been arrested four times previously.'

Biplab Kumar Deb, former Tripura Chief Minister and a member of the fact-finding team, said that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee should be 'ashamed' that opposition leaders had to visit to demand justice.

'Can she face the fact that she is not being able to give protection to women?... A criminal was appointed to a law college. Why was he given this job despite his background?' Deb asked.

Meanwhile, Kolkata Police said on Monday that three FIR-named accused in the case were arrested within 12 hours. A fourth was also apprehended during the investigation. Medicolegal examinations and forensic inspections have been completed, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) is overseeing the probe.

In a post on X, Kolkata Police stated: 'Kasba Law College case update: All the three FIR-named accused persons have been arrested in less than 12 hours. Another accused person has since been arrested based on evidences... Investigation is being monitored by a special investigation team under the close supervision of senior officers. Kolkata Police is committed to ensure that the perpetrators of the crime face the harshest possible legal action and the victim gets justice at the earliest.' (ANI)