Police in the northeast Indian state of Assam has arrested a college professor, Prabin Narzary, for raping and abetting the suicide of a 14-year-old girl in his care. The arrest took place after the girl died in the accused’s home. The girl’s family reported the death to the police after they were informed of a suicide note that she wrote to a friend. Police detained the accused and are conduction an investigation.
The unnamed victim had been living in Narzary’s home. Her family had trusted the man to care for the schoolgirl while she completed her education in the Chirang district. Instead of caring for the girl, the man reportedly sexually abused her.
On Monday, May 17 the victim was found dead in the Bengtol College professor’s house. He informed the family of her death. The grieving family was not aware of the girl being raped by the professor of Philosophy.
The Hindustan Times reported that the girl, before her death had sent a message to her friend over WhatsApp. She informed the friend that she had been raped and no longer wanted to live. This suicide note was revealed to the girl’s family by the friend after her death.
According to Northeast Now, the girl was the accused’s sister-in-law. As she came from a poor family, she had been sent to live with the college professor’s family while she completed her education. Narzary tried to cover up the incident but the girl’s family filed a First Information Report at the Runikhata police station. Acting on the report the police arrested the man. He was charged with raping someone under 16 years of age, causing the disappearance of evidence and the abetment of suicide. He was also charged under Section 4 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The police produced the accused at the district sessions court at Kajalgaon. Investigators appealed for the man to be remanded to custody for five days. However, the court granted three-day custody. As the inquest into the death continues in the presence of a woman executive magistrate, the girl’s body was sent to Barpeta Medical College Hospital where it will be examined.
