A 70-year-old man has been placed in 14-day judicial custody after being charged with the rape and murder of his 16-year-old granddaughter. The accused was presented before a court in Agartala on Saturday, where the police confirmed the charges against him. The incident has raised significant concerns about elder abuse and violence against minors in the community.
The accused, Pranballabh Das, was arrested after the girl’s body was recovered from their residence on April 30. Officer-in-Charge of Sonamura Police Station, Tapas Das, said the accused was presented before a special POCSO court, which granted judicial remand for 14 days considering his age. “Pranballabh Das was produced before a special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court at Sonamura seeking judicial remand for interrogation in view of his age, and the court granted a 14-day jail remand.
A case was registered based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, Bapi Das, according to police. Police said initial investigation indicates that the minor, who had been staying with her grandfather, was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual abuse. Following the complaint, officers booked the accused on charges of rape and murder and took him into custody. As per the order, the police will be allowed to interrogate the accused as and when it requires”, Tapas Das stated. “We want capital punishment for the accused to send a strong message that the individual who commits such a heinous crime has no place in our society. Murdering the grand daughter following rape is under investigation, and the post-mortem report is expected next Monday, which shall widen the avenue of revelation,” police added.
Father of Victim Returns Home After Tragic Incident
The father of the victim, who is employed by a private security agency in Bengaluru, has returned home following the news of his daughter’s death. He had recently remarried, adding another layer of complexity to the family’s grief during this tragic time.