The preliminary post-mortem report of an 11-year-old girl, whose body was discovered stuffed in a sack and retrieved from a pond near Kolkata, indicates she suffered head injuries, sexual assault, and was thrown into the water while still alive. The report, cited by a senior police officer on Monday, revealed injury marks in the girl's private parts, along with scratch and bite marks on various parts of her body.
Circumstances of the Disappearance and Discovery
The girl went missing on Saturday after leaving her home in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, to purchase a birthday gift for a friend. Her family filed a missing complaint with the police. Her body was recovered from a pond the following day. The recovery triggered a mob lynching of a man suspected of involvement in the girl's rape and murder.
Autopsy Findings and Cause of Death
The post-mortem examination also indicated that the girl's head had been struck with a heavy object or banged against a hard surface. Crucially, the report suggested the child was alive when thrown into the pond, as water was found in her lungs and stomach. Police sources stated that excessive bleeding from the head injury, combined with drowning, caused her death.
Investigation and Arrests
Police arrested the key accused on Monday, bringing the total number of arrests in the case to three. A senior police officer said, "The investigation is at a crucial stage. We are examining all evidence. The preliminary post-mortem findings are being corroborated with other material collected during the probe." Police have examined CCTV footage from the area, which purportedly shows the girl being taken away by four individuals. The officer added, "We are pursuing all available leads. CCTV footage, forensic evidence and witness statements are being examined. Those involved will be identified and arrested at the earliest." The footage is being analyzed to establish the identities of the accused and their specific roles in the crime.
