NEW DELHI: A 13-year-old schoolgirl was found hanging at her home in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas, prompting a police investigation after her family accused a 32-year-old local man of sexually assaulting and blackmailing her.
The Class 8 student was found by family members on Friday night in Gaighata. Her family has alleged that the man repeatedly threatened the girl using objectionable photographs and videos and had also warned her of an acid attack.
Police recovered the body and sent it to hospital for an autopsy. The circumstances surrounding her death and the allegations made by the family are under investigation. No arrest had been reported at the time of filing.
Family alleges sexual assault, blackmail
According to the family, the girl had been in contact with the man for around a year.
They alleged that several months ago, he called the minor to his house. His mother then allegedly took the girl inside a room and locked the door from outside.
The family has accused the man of sexually assaulting the girl inside the room.
They further alleged that he possessed objectionable photographs and videos of the minor and used them to blackmail her into meeting him.
The family claimed the girl would sometimes be called away on the pretext of attending school or for other reasons. She was allegedly threatened that the photographs and videos would be circulated if she refused to meet him.
Father alleges accused threatened girl with acid attack
The girl’s father said the family was initially unaware that she was in contact with the man.
After he learnt about it, he warned his daughter against continuing the association, he said.
The father alleged that the 32-year-old nevertheless continued meeting the girl and had threatened to attack her with acid.
The family has also made allegations about an episode at the man’s home in which the minor was forcibly made to wear conch shell bangles and vermilion.
They claimed the girl had not consented to what they described as an alleged marriage. Her mother later brought her home, according to the family.
Complaint filed at Gaighata police station
Following the girl’s death, her family submitted a written complaint at Gaighata police station and sought strict action against the accused.
Police have begun an investigation on the basis of the complaint. Investigators are examining the family’s allegations as well as the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.
The exact cause of death is yet to be established. - The Statesman/ANN
