HT Correspondent
JORHAT, Nov 10: Four persons have been arrested in connection with the murder of a young girl at Titabor, whose body was found inside a septic tank in the early hours of Sunday.
The victim was reportedly seven months pregnant.
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Following the incident, the Officer-in-Charge of Titabor Police Station, Lakshman Kumar Das, has been placed under reserve suspension, and a departmental inquiry has been initiated against him for alleged negligence in handling the case.
The main accused has been identified as Jagat Singha (63), a bez and tantrik who allegedly operated an ashram with an underground chamber.
His two sons — Jibon Singha (40) and Kishan Singha (31), both residents of No 1 Jonaki Mondal Gaon under Titabor Police Station — have also been arrested for their involvement in the crime.
Another person, Rekibuddin Ahmed (45), a pharmacist from Melamati, Titabor, was arrested for allegedly attempting to assist in terminating the girl’s pregnancy.
As news of the recovery spread, a large crowd comprising students and members of various women’s organisations gathered at the Titabor Police Station, demanding justice for the victim.
The protestors nearly broke through the station gates before being pacified by Jorhat Superintendent of Police Subhrajyoti Borah and Jorhat Deputy Commissioner Jay Shivani, who rushed to the spot to control the situation.
Speaking to reporters, SP Borah said that what was initially registered as a missing person’s case on the night of November 7, based on an FIR filed by the victim’s parents, has now been converted into a full-fledged murder case under relevant sections of the IPC and the POCSO Act.
Borah further informed that the victim was about 18 years and two months old at the time of her death but was a minor when she was impregnated.
He added that the arrests were made following a confession by the prime accused, and further investigation is underway.
