Kolkata: A 15-year-old girl who got her stepfather arrested for allegedly sexually abusing her and pursued legal action, was allegedly threatened with dire consequences by her father's associates on court premises. The incident was captured on CCTV camera, leading the judge of a Bongaon Pocso court to order cops to arrange security for the girl and her mother. The police have started a hunt to apprehend the suspects involved in the threatening act before the court hearing.
According to court sources, the girl appeared at the Bongaon Sub-Divisional Court on Saturday to testify against her stepfather in a Pocso case. However, two associates of the accused allegedly threatened to kill her and her mother.
According to police, the girl's mother remarried after separating from her first husband, with whom she has two daughters. The family, including the woman, her daughters, and the stepfather, lived in a rented house in Bongaon's Vasanpota. The accused stepfather has a criminal history, being previously arrested in cases related to arms dealing and the NDPS Act. "In June of last year, he allegedly lured the girl — the eldest of two daughters — to a rented house in Gopalnagar, where he confined and raped her thrice at night. After returning home, the girl informed her mother, who subsequently filed a complaint with Gopalnagar PS. The stepfather was arrested and sent to judicial custody," an officer said.
The girl was scheduled to testify on Saturday as part of the ongoing case. However, shortly before her testimony, she broke down in tears inside the courtroom. On being asked, she revealed that two friends of her stepfather had threatened to kill her and her mother, warning her not to testify against him. Despite the threats, the girl proceeded to testify.
Public prosecutor Samir Das informed the judge about the threats. "Subsequently, CCTV footage from the court premises was reviewed, confirming the incident. The judge directed the police to ensure the safety of the girl and her mother and to identify and arrest the suspects involved in the threats," Das said.
Cops confirmed that enhanced security arrangements have already been implemented for the girl and her mother.
Though initially terrified by the incident, the girl assured authorities that she will continue to testify against her stepfather in the next hearing, scheduled for Wednesday, the public prosecutor said.