M A I N   N E W S

Accused set Bengal rape victim on fire: Parents
Subhrangshu Gupta
Tribune News Service

Kolkata, January 1
The controversy over the death of a 16-year-old rape victim at Madhyamgram in North 24-Parganas took a new turn today following allegations by the bereaved parents that their daughter did not commit suicide but was burnt to death by the anti-socials who had been demanding withdrawal of an FIR lodged against them.

The daughter of a poor taxi driver was brutally gang-raped while she was returning home after attending a coaching class on October 20. The same evening, the girl, along with her parents, went to the local police station for lodging a complaint against the accused, but the police did not take any immediate steps.

As the accused had started threatening the family, it shifted to a safer place near the Dum Dum airport area. The accused, however, came to know their new address and started demanding withdrawal of the FIR lodged against them.

On October 24, the girl was gang-raped again and was left unconscious near the railway track in a local playground. The police then arrested six persons named in the FIR, but the harassment of the family did not stop. On December 25, the girl was admitted to RG Kar Hospital with severe burn injuries. She later succumbed to her injuries there.

The police wanted the body to be cremated the same evening under its custody, but the parents and the local people demanded that the body be handed over to them. Political parties and human rights organisations also come forward in support of the bereaved family. After getting possession of the body, they took out a procession in the streets.

CPM members and parents of the girl today met Governor MK Narayanan and sought his intervention in the case. Chairman of the Women Rights Commission Mamata Sharma has also written a letter to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asking her to take firm steps against the criminals. WBPCC Pradip Bhattacharjee has demanded a CBI probe into the incident.

The Chief Minister did not comment on the issue, but TMC general secretary Mukul Roy alleged it was a motivated campaign to malign the state government.

The body was cremated in the evening after the Governor assured the family that he would look into the case.