Union minister Anurag Thakur on Thursday lashed out at West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on the Sandeshkhali case, alleging there is a ‘jungle raaj’ (misrule) in the state.

“Everyone has seen the ‘Jungle Raaj’ of West Bengal. Sandeshkhali’s ‘sandesh’ has reached everyone that in Mamata Banerjee’s rule, there is ‘Jungle Raaj’ and how atrocities are being done against women,” ANI quoted the minister as saying.

“The women seeking justice are forced to come on streets. But they have to bear the lathis of police, their voices are brutally suppressed and nobody listens to them. When they approach the court, the government backs those committing atrocities against women and evading law,” Thakur added.

The minister questioned Banerjee over the delay in arresting Sheikh Shahjahan, the local Trinamool Congress leader, who has been accused of sexual assault and land grabbing in Sandeshkhali.

“What was Mamata Banerjee’s compulsion behind letting this individual roam freely instead of being arrested? Why does she protect those who rape women and are accused of corruption?” the minister added.