Sandeshkhali victim of sexual assault dies

An elderly woman hailing from Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas who was sexually assaulted brutally and was undergoing treatment at National Medical College and Hospital for the last 27 days died on Monday. The woman was allegedly assaulted after she had protested against open consumption of alcohol near her residence that is also close to the Sandeshkhali police station.

The miscreants allegedly tortured her by inserting an iron rod into her private parts and also by inflicting cut injuries with broken glasses.

According to the victim's son Braja Dulal, the family owns a small hotel close to the police station which used to be usually looked after by the victim. On July 4, while she was returning home, she found four youth drinking liquor. When she protested, she was attacked and was dragged into a bush close to the spot where she was sexually assaulted. Dulal was at that time, away in Kolkata for some work and was informed about the incident the following morning by some neighbours who spotted her lying unconscious.

The woman was at first taken to a local health clinic and was immediately referred to National Medical College and Hospital. The police on the basis of the victim's statement, arrested the prime accused Rajeshwar Maiti, alias Bhola.

"The prime accused Rajeshwar had tied a belt around the woman's neck, put a blindfold on her eyes and then sexually assaulted her. He also inserted an iron rod into her private parts. This was the statement that we had recorded from the elderly woman during her hospitalisation," a senior district police official said.

The sexagenarian who had an operation a few days back, was unable to fight with the severe injuries that

were inflicted by the offenders. "There were at least three or more persons involved in the incident. We want all of them to be put behind bars," Braja Dulal said.

Locals informed that Rajeshwar used to molest women after having alcohol every day. The lady had once complained to the police. Furious at the old woman for approaching the police, he gathered some friends and committed the offence.