A tragic incident in South Kolkata has resulted in the death of a 48-year-old woman and the subsequent arrest of five local residents. The victim, identified as Nasima Begum from Ekbalpore, succumbed to injuries after reportedly ingesting a corrosive substance at her home.
Chronology of a Tragedy
The incident occurred on Tuesday at the victim's residence. Nasima Begum was rushed to the Ekbalpore Nursing Home at 9:30 am. Despite receiving immediate medical attention, doctors pronounced her dead at 11:30 am the same day. Initially, the police registered the case as an unnatural death. However, the investigation took a serious turn following a formal complaint lodged by the deceased's sister, Sahina Begum, who also lives in the same house.
Allegations and Arrests
In her complaint, Sahina Begum alleged that her sister was subjected to intense mental pressure and harassment by five individuals from the same locality. She claimed this relentless pressure drove Nasima to take the extreme step. Based on this complaint, the police arrested the five accused on Wednesday on charges of abetment to suicide.
The arrested individuals have been named as:
- Javed Ekbal (57)
- Md Wasim (28)
- Yasmin Begum (57)
- Salma Khatoon (45)
- Farzana Hossain (38)
The alleged motive behind the harassment was a monetary dispute. According to the complaint, Nasima had accepted some money from the accused but was unable to repay it. This failure to return the funds reportedly led to persistent harassment that pushed her to desperation.
Police Investigation and Crucial Evidence
Law enforcement officials have seized critical evidence from the scene, including an acid container and a cellphone. These items are expected to play a vital role in piecing together the events leading to the death.
While the case is currently being treated as an abetment to suicide, the police are not ruling out any possibilities. Authorities are awaiting the final postmortem report and the results of a chemical analysis of the viscera. Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime & Traffic) Rupesh Kumar stated that the victim consumed a bathroom cleaner and that the final opinion would be given after the chemical analysis.
The police have clarified that they are keeping all angles open, including the possibility of homicide, until the forensic reports provide conclusive evidence. The investigation remains active as officers work to uncover the complete truth behind this distressing event in Ekbalpore.
