Black magic, witch: Kolkata Police begin probe into online trolling of Bengali women after Sushant's death

Kolkata Police have initiated a probe into numerous complaints of cyber trolling against Bengali women on social media in the aftermath of Sushant Singh Rajput's death case.

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Black magic, witch: Kolkata Police begin probe into online trolling of Bengali women after Sushant's death
Sushant Singh Rajput and Rhea Chakraborty were in a relationship before the actor died by suicide on June 14.

The Kolkata Police have initiated a probe into numerous complaints of cyber trolling against women on social media in the aftermath of actor Sushant Singh Rajput's death. Police have written to Facebook and Twitter seeking information about specific cases after numerous complaints were forwarded by the West Bengal Commission for Women (WBCW).

According to commission chairperson, Leena Ganguly, more than 30 complaints have been received in the past one week with victims complaining of attempts to abuse and defame 'Bengali' women on social media.

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"This is a worrying trend and specifically after the Sushant Singh Rajput case. Just because a Bengali girl is under investigation, the popular perception is that she has killed Sushant and thus all Bengali women are being trolled," Ganguly told India Today.

"We don't want to treat this just as a case against Bengali women, but women in general. The way women are being targeted using derogatory remarks is shocking. Poeple use the veil of anonymity on social media to target victims. Those indulging in such acts often think they can get away with it because police won't take it seriously," she said.

Ever since actor Sushant Singh Rajput's family named Rhea Chakraborty in an FIR, there has been an online tirade against Bengali women, with terms like "gold digger", "witch" and "black magic" used to target them.

Police have begun probe based on a specific complaint filed by a young psychologist from Kolkata. According to Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Murlidhar Sharma, case have been filed under section 67A of Information Technology Act and sections 354D (stalking), 509 (whoever intending to insult the modesty of any woman) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code.

"I refrain from calling out people because it literally does nothing, FIR does. But exactly how do non-Bengali men keep their women on correct path? Please let me know. I'm trying not to make it an e-lafda because that is forgotten in one evening and these cyber bullies go around like bosses again. I will do what is necessary. This is to show how you people think of us Bengali women," the lady wrote on Facebook, posting screenshots of derogatory comments made by the accused using social media.

Another complaint was lodged by Twitter user Sourav Bhattacharya, who brought a derogatory Facebook post to the notice of cops on July 31.

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Sushant Singh Rajput's Dil Bechara co-star Swastika Mukherjee and Trinamool Congress MP actor Nusrat Jahan together responded to one such derogatory tweet that asks men to beware of Bengali women.

Many women have called out such trolling on social media. A Twitter user wrote, "This is shame that you r criticising each and every Bengali on the basis of rhea chaktroborty...there are many talented,and good human being in Bengal..I guess you don't know anything..but I am not a illeterate like you..I hope CBI is done for Sushant and he gets justice. (sic)."

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Another social media user wrote, "We should not make it bihari vs Bengali , or bihari vs Marathi.. as sushant fans are from each corner of this country.. and all want justice.. we are Indian first, always and Everytime.. please don't do this...(sic)."

One more user wrote, "Really angry with my Bengali parents for choosing plain boring ICSE over Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Black Magic. Where can I get an online course now?"

One more user wrote, "Feels very bad tht since Rhea is a Bengali nd done bad things, everyone is saying tht all Bengalis r bad. Bt Roopa Ganguly also a Bengali nd she ws 1st who protest against the injustice done to SSR. There r many Bengalis like me who hv come here for the 1 time just to support SSR (sic)."

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