Bengal: 13-Year-Old Girl Found Dead at Home, Family Alleges Sexual Assault and Blackmail

A 13-year-old schoolgirl was found dead at her home in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district, with her family alleging that she had been sexually assaulted and blackmailed by a 32-year-old local man.

The Class 8 student was found hanging at her residence in the Gaighata area on Friday night. Police were alerted and reached the spot, recovered the body and sent it for postmortem examination. Investigators have not yet established the circumstances that led to her death.

The girl’s family has filed a complaint against the 32-year-old man, alleging that he had been in contact with the minor for around a year.

According to the family, the man allegedly called the girl to his house several months ago, where they claim she was sexually assaulted. The family has also alleged that the accused subsequently used photographs and videos involving the girl to threaten and blackmail her.

The girl’s mother claimed that the man used the material to pressure her daughter into meeting him and threatened to circulate the photographs and videos if she refused. She alleged that the girl was repeatedly called away from home under different pretexts.

The girl’s father said the family initially had no knowledge of the extent of her contact with the accused. After becoming aware of it, he said he warned his daughter against continuing the association. He has alleged, however, that the man continued contacting her and also threatened her with an acid attack.

The family has made additional allegations about an incident at the accused’s home, claiming that the girl was forced to wear traditional symbols associated with marriage against her wishes. They alleged that she was later brought back home by her mother.

After the teenager’s death, her family approached Gaighata police station with a written complaint and sought strict action against the accused.

Police have begun investigating the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death. No arrest had been reported at the time of the initial investigation.

Investigators are examining the claims made by the family and other available evidence. The postmortem report is also expected to help establish the circumstances of the death.