Main Suspect in Assam Minor Rape Case Falls into Pond While Fleeing; Dies

Guwahati, 24th August 2024: The main suspect in a gang-rape case in Nagaon district, Assam, died after he fell into a pond during a police investigation. Authorities reported that Tafazzul Islam, arrested on Friday, was being taken to the site of the alleged incident that occurred on August 22 when he attacked the police and attempted to escape.

Superintendent of Police Swapnaneel Deka explained that during the investigation, Islam unexpectedly assaulted the police and jumped into a nearby pond. After nearly two hours of searching, rescuers recovered his unconscious body, and emergency services pronounced him dead upon arrival at a government hospital.

The search operation involved the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Assam Fire and Emergency Services, and local police.

The alleged gang-rape of a 14-year-old girl by three men in Nagaon district on Thursday has sparked widespread protests. The victim was discovered injured and unconscious near a pond by residents.

Islam was among the three suspects arrested on Friday and faced charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and other relevant laws.

Assam’s Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed outrage over the incident, asserting that no one would escape justice. He described the crime against the minor as abhorrent and emphasized the importance of swift action against the culprits. The Chief Minister reported that since June 4 of this year, there have been 23 reported cases of rape in Assam, highlighting a troubling trend in areas where the indigenous population is declining.

Assam’s police chief, Gyanendra Pratap Singh, who visited the location, confirmed that there is substantial evidence against the suspect and that the investigation is ongoing. Following Islam’s death, community members in his village have declined to participate in his funeral rites.