The autopsy of a 12-year-old girl, who was allegedly kidnapped, raped and murdered in West Bengal’s Baruipur on Saturday, revealed injury marks on her genitals, bite marks on her body, serious head injury and water in her lungs and stomach.
The girl’s body was recovered from a pond near her home in Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district on Sunday morning.
The death of the 12-year-old sparked outrage in parts of suburban Kolkata, leading to the lynching of a man on suspicion of involvement in the incident.
The girl’s family told police that she left home on Saturday afternoon to buy food but never returned, claiming that four people kidnapped her.
The police registered a preliminary report and opened an investigation into the incident.
Bite marks, scratches and head injury
Preliminary results of an examination of the 12-year-old girl’s body revealed signs of injury to her genitals, and scratch and bite marks in different areas of her body, news agency PTI reported, citing a senior police officer.
According to the autopsy report, it appears that the girl’s head was struck with a heavy object or hard surface.
Furthermore, the autopsy also indicated that the girl was alive when she was thrown into the pond, as water was found in her lungs and stomach.
The news agency, citing police sources, reported that severe bleeding resulting from her head injury and drowning led to her death.
Investigation of rape and murder
Police reportedly arrested the main accused in the case on Monday, in addition to arresting two other people earlier.
Earlier, authorities said three people were also arrested for questioning in connection with the case.
HT had earlier reported that a six-member special investigation team has been formed to investigate the case, adding that four first information reports (FIRs) have been registered, including one relating to allegations of rape and murder of the girl and lynching of a man.
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“The investigation is at a crucial stage. We are examining all the evidence. The preliminary post-mortem findings are being supported by other materials collected during the investigation,” a senior police officer said.
Authorities also examined CCTV footage from the area, which allegedly showed four people taking the 12-year-old away. Additionally, the officer said they are also analyzing the footage to determine the identity of the accused and their role in the crime.
Banning orders are in effect amid the protests
Amid growing public outrage over the alleged rape and murder, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Suraksha Sanhita Act have been imposed in parts of Baruipur and adjoining areas, with additional police forces deployed in the area.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari spoke to the girl’s father and assured him that those responsible for the incident would be arrested and punished.
In the call, the father reportedly demanded the execution of the perpetrators. “He (Adhikari) asked me to go to Bhabani Bhawan (state CID headquarters) on Tuesday. I am satisfied with the administration,” the father said, as HT had reported earlier.
