A “sting” video claiming women in Sandeshkhali had lodged complaints of sexual abuse in exchange for money has gone viral on social media. In the video, BJP’s Sandeshkhali 2 mandal president Gangadhar Koyal purportedly said the women had lodged the complaints following the instructions of the leader of the Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari.

Koyal's wife has said her husband was a victim of a conspiracy hatched by the Trinamool Congress. A section of the residents of Sandeshkhali is upset with Gangadhar. A few villagers said in private that there were indeed some doubts over the complaints of rape and sexual abuse. However, there was near unanimity in the village about the other misdeeds of suspended TMC leader Sheikh Shahjahan and his cronies.

The video has triggered political mudslinging and brought Sandeshkhali back in spotlight. But what's at the heart of the matter. We look back...

Story: Snehamoy Chakraborty
Video Producer: Shohini Bose
Video Editor: Subrata Goswami