Bengal rights panel orders probe into rape, murder

The West Bengal Human Rights Commission Monday directed the state police to probe the alleged rape and murder of a college student in North 24-Parganas district last week.

"The incident is barbaric and inhuman. The commission has directed the inspector general of police, South Bengal, to inquire into the matter and submit a report in three weeks," said Sujay Kumar Haldar, joint secretary of the commission.

A second-year college student was allegedly abducted, raped and killed by a group of youths June 7 while she was returning home after appearing in an examination in Barasat in the district. Her body was found beside a fishpond.

A full bench of the commission - including its chairperson Justice (retd.) Asok Kumar Ganguly - expressed concern over frequent incidents of sexual assault being reported from Barasat area.

Meanwhile, eight people have been arrested for the crime, including four of the three named in the first information report, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Banibrata Basu told journalists here.

"The trial will be conducted by a fast-track court," said Basu.

The rights panel also ordered a probe into the assault on two TV journalists July 7 while covering a clash allegedly between two rival factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress in Barrackpore, also in North 24-Parganas district.

Fourteen people have been arrested in this connection.