Two more men have been arrested in connection with the alleged molestation of a teenager and the subsequent death of her father who was allegedly hit when he stood up to the accused.
Police made the first arrest on Tuesday morning, hours after the girl’s father died. The second arrest was made late on Tuesday and the third on Wednesday morning.
An officer of Howrah police said the girl was allegedly molested when she was returning home from tuition on Monday. Her family lodged a complaint against three men after she returned home and confided in them.
The girl’s father went to the spot where she was allegedly molested to confront the men. They allegedly beat him up, following which he fell ill, the police said. The 35-year-old man died in hospital.
The police on Wednesday said they were yet to get the post-mortem report, which will reveal the cause of death.
“Two of the arrested had been named in the FIR by the family. The third was arrested later based on the girl’s statement,” said superintendent of police Howrah (rural), Swati Bhangalia.
The three have been booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, and for murder and wrongful restraint. The charges, if proved, could lead to the death penalty.
The police said the three included two brothers. One of the brothers was driver by profession and the other worked in a goldsmith’s workshop, an officer said. The third allegedly sold hooch in his neighbourhood. “All three are known to the girl’s family,” he said.
The two men arrested on Tuesday night and Wednesday were produced in a Howrahcourt on Wednesday and sentto police remand.
