Kolkata: The CBI has arrested a local TMC leader and the father of the main accused, in connection with the alleged gang-rape and subsequent death of a girl in Bengal’s Hanskhali area, for tampering with evidence and intimidating his family members. Played an “active role”. A senior official of the agency gave this information on Saturday.
Describing the local leader as an “influential person who knew about his son’s wrongdoings”, the official said the TMC member was elected on Friday along with a friend of his who assisted him.
“The TMC leader had threatened and intimidated the family members of the victim by sending her to their house in Hanskhali (part of Nadia district). Our investigation found that he tried to use his political contacts to ensure that the girl was brought to justice. Didn’t get proper treatment. When taken to the hospital,” the CBI official said.
The officer told PTI that he destroyed the evidence related to the crime.
“The accused also threatened the victim’s family of dire consequences if they approached the police. He forced them to perform the last rites of the girl in haste,” the agency official said.
On April 4, a minor girl was allegedly gang-raped during a birthday party at the house of a local leader’s son.
According to her parents, who filed a police complaint on April 9, she died later that night.
At least six people, including a distant son, have been arrested in connection with the case.
(The identity of the victim is not disclosed to protect her privacy as per Supreme Court directions on matters related to sexual harassment)