Body of 16-year-old found in pond at Khardah

Kolkata: Mystery shrouds the death of a 16-year-old girl whose body was found in a pond in Khardah area of North 24-Parganas, a few kilometers away from her house.

The incident triggered tension among the locals after the body of Sayani Sil (16) was recovered from a pond, situated close to rail gate number 5 under Khardah police station. She was a student of class XI. The victim was a resident of Sodepur.

She had been missing since Wednesday after she stepped out of her house saying she would visit Kali Puja pandals with some of her friends.

As she did not return home, the family members called her but her phone went unanswered. Her parents later lodged a missing complaint at the local police station. They also called up their relatives but failed get any trace of the girl.

The family members of the victim told police she met a youth who she might have got to know on Wednesday itself.

They further alleged that the youth might have killed the victim with the help of his friends. One of their relatives on Thursday called on her number when a local youth answered her phone. He told her family members that she found her mobile phone lying on the ground near the pond.

The family members drew attention of the police who conducted a search operation in the adjacent areas.

They recovered a pair of her shoes from the area. The investigating officers then engaged a diver who recovered the body from the pond. On the basis of a specific information, police have started a probe. Raids are being conducted to nab the youth. Police have interrogated some friends of the victim in this connection. They body has been sent an autopsy. Police are yet to confirm the motive behind the murder.