Minor attempts suicide after harasser’s threats

KOLKATA: A 14-year-old girl set herself on fire in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district following threats from a man who allegedly tried to rape her on February 28, police said on Friday, adding her condition was stated to be critical.

The accused, identified as Ajay Roy and his brother Bijay, who is a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker, were arrested on Friday. They were produced before a local court, which remanded them in police custody.

Police said the girl, a Class 8 student, is undergoing treatment. “Doctors said the burn injuries are critical in nature,” the girl’s father told local media.

He alleged that Ajay tried to rape the minor on February 28.

“We faced threats after we lodged a police complaint. The accused went into hiding and got an anticipatory bail. On Wednesday, when my daughter was alone at home, two youths came to our house and threatened to kill her and the entire family if she does not withdraw the complaint,” said the victim’s father. “She tried to kill herself on Thursday. Her condition is critical,” he added.

Jalpaiguri superintendent of police Debarshi Dutta said: “The police registered a case in February and a complaint on Thursday. It is being probed why the minor tried to commit suicide.”

Bapi Goswami, Jalpaiguri unit chief of the BJP, alleged that the TMC was shielding the accused. “The TMC is protecting criminals everywhere.”

Shibshankar Dutta, TMC’s Maynaguri block unit chief, said his party had nothing to do with the crime.

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