A minor girl from Gouranganagar, New Town, near Kolkata, was found murdered early on Friday, around 6 km from her home, which she left after an argument with her mother and sister late on Thursday. Her body was discovered in a bush next to a canal, close to a premium housing complex.
On Saturday, police arrested Soumitra Roy, a 22-year-old Toto driver, in a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) Act case registered over the incident.
According to police, they learnt after reviewing CCTV footage from several cameras that around 11.30 pm, the girl approached the three-wheeler driver, who agreed to drop her off after other passengers. The driver then drove around with the girl before taking her to an isolated location, where he allegedly assaulted her sexually around 12.30 am. When she attempted to scream, he allegedly strangled her and fled the scene.
CCTV footage captured the girl walking nearly 2 km from her home before she was seen speaking to a biker who slowed down upon noticing her, the police said, adding that only the arrested accused was involved in the crime.
Around 6.30 am on Friday, morning walkers discovered the girl’s body with multiple bruises and scratch marks on a 1.7-acre plot owned by the West Bengal Infrastructure Development Finance Corporation. Although the area is secured by steel mesh, the police discovered a section that had been cut. Locals say the lack of lighting in the area contributes to numerous anti-social activities after dark.
Because the accused was not using a mobile phone, tracking him was challenging for the police. Eventually, they located his wife, who revealed that he was at the Kolkata Book Fair, leading to his arrest from there.
It was only when it began to get late that the girl’s mother raised an alarm and began searching for her daughter with neighbours.
A missing-person report was filed at the New Town police station at 5.30 am on Friday. Within an hour, the police received a call about the body next to the canal.
According to the police, the accused has confessed to the crime. They plan to request his custody for further investigation when he is presented in court.