The tragic story of Sheikh Shahjahan of Sandeshkhali had just faded from people’s minds when the dark exploits of another ‘Shahjahan’ – this time from Deganga in North 24 Parganas – came to light. According to media reports, Rabiul Islam, an influential leader of Trinamool Congress, is accused of calling women to his big garden house on the pretext of frying fish and sexually exploiting them. The stories of the atrocities of this leader, who emerged from poverty and created wealth worth crores, have shocked Bengal.
**Fear among women**
Deganga Panchayat Samiti leader Rabiul Islam was feared in the area. Local people say that he has a big garden house spread over about 100 bighas of land. It is alleged that he used to call women there on the pretext of frying fish or cooking food, taking advantage of the darkness. This was no feast, but a terrible trap; After reaching there, the women were taken hostage and subjected to inhuman misbehavior. Residents say that Rabiul’s terror was so severe that neither the victims nor their families could dare to raise their voice against it.
**Journey from daily wage laborer to wealth worth Rs 10 crore**
The story of Rabiul Islam’s rise to power is as shocking as his crimes. Before 2011, he was a common daily wage laborer who could barely make ends meet. However, his fortunes changed rapidly as he entered the corridors of power. Within a short time, he became a powerful superintendent overseeing the forest and land department in the Deganga Panchayat Samiti. He is accused of misusing funds allocated for government projects and using public resources, including trees, to decorate his private garden house. Today, his wealth is estimated at Rs 10 crore.
