15-Year-Old Rape Victim Dies by Suicide After Consuming Pesticide in West Bengal

The teenage victim attempted suicide by consuming pesticide stored in her home.

Kolkata:

A 15-year-old rape victim from Keshiary in West Bengal's West Midnapore district passed away on Tuesday evening, 18 days after ingesting pesticide, allegedly due to social stigma and fear, according to police reports released Wednesday.

Police confirmed that the accused has been arrested and remains in judicial custody. The teenage girl's family is now demanding severe punishment for the rapist for driving her to suicide.

Officials stated that the minor succumbed to her condition Tuesday evening while receiving treatment at Kharagpur Sub-divisional Hospital.

According to the complaint filed by her brother-in-law on September 9, the girl worked at a factory owned by the accused in the Keshiary area and frequently traveled there with him on his motorcycle. She referred to him as uncle.

In late August, the man allegedly lured her to a nearby forest under the pretense of visiting the factory and sexually assaulted her. He subsequently threatened her with severe consequences if she revealed the incident.

Initially, the girl concealed the information due to shame and fear. Eventually, she disclosed the incident to her family on September 9.

That same afternoon, the minor's family submitted a written complaint to authorities. Based on this report, police arrested the accused the following day and presented him before the court. He was subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

However, on October 24, the victim attempted suicide by consuming pesticide stored at her residence.

Police reported that she was initially transported to Keshiary Rural Hospital, where her condition was described as critical. She was then transferred to Kharagpur Sub-divisional Hospital, where she had been undergoing treatment since. After fighting for 18 days, she passed away on Tuesday. An autopsy has been conducted.

Her family believes she was profoundly affected by taunts or remarks from local residents or the accused's family, which ultimately drove her to take the extreme step.

A district police officer stated, "A case has been registered under specific sections, and the accused has already been arrested and remains in judicial custody. This unfortunate incident occurred in the meantime. Everything will be thoroughly investigated."