Kaliaganj Rape-Murder: National Commission For Scheduled Castes Expresses Concern Over Investigation

Earlier, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were clamped in parts of Kaliaganj in West Bengal's Uttar Dinajpur district on Sunday following clashes between police and locals over the death of the minor

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 23 April 2023 3:08 pm

Earlier, prohibitory orders under Section 144 of CrPC were clamped in parts of Kaliaganj

After violence erupted in West Bengal's Kaliaganj district over the alleged rape of a minor girl, a team of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, led by Vice Chairperson of the commission, Arun Haldar visited the residence of the girl.

Local people found the body of the teenage girl, who was missing since Thursday evening, floating in the waters of a canal this morning, an official said.

The girl, a resident of Gangua village of the district, went missing on Thursday evening after she went for her tuition classes and could not be traced the ientire night, despite extensive searches by her family members and local people.

Hon'ble Vice Chairman National Commission for Schedule Caste has made a spot visit where a SC girl of 17 years old found raped and murdered in Gangua village, Sahebghata area under Kaliaganj Police Station, Uttar Dinajpur Dist. on 21.4.2023. @arunhalderbjp #NCSC pic.twitter.com/xtIAetmLw9
— National Commission for Scheduled Castes (@NCSC_GoI) April 23, 2023

According to a report by India Today, "Whenever we visit any place to conduct any enquiry, it’s compulsory for the district magistrate (DM) and superintendent of police (SP) concerned to present at the spot. It's a constitutional mandate. But, here the DM and SP didn't appear,” said Arun Haldar after visiting the family.

It has really surprised me that our commission from Delhi has reached here, but even the investigation officer (IO) wasn’t present on the scene. With this, the mindset of the government can be assumed, he added, according to the report.

Further, the SC commission also criticised the role of local police and state government regarding the allegation. the Vice-Chairperson raised questions on why the IO of the local police station, SP and the DM didn't visit the victim’s residence so far, the report by India Today said.

The prohibitory orders were imposed hours before the visit of a team of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) led by its chairperson Priyank Kanoongo to meet the family of the deceased girl.

"Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the CrPC have been imposed for a fortnight from today as a precautionary measure, though the duration is subject to review. As per the law, we will not allow a congregation of four or more people. Action will be taken against violators," the official said.

(With inputs from PTI)