Tripura Police have made significant progress in the investigation of a brutal gang-rape incident involving a college girl. On Thursday (May 11), another suspect was apprehended, bringing the total number of arrests to two.
In addition to the arrest, authorities seized a staggering amount of Rs 90 lakh from the residence of one of the accused persons. The vehicle used during the incident was also recovered.
The prime accused, Goutam Sharma, was taken into custody within 24 hours of the incident from his residence in the Maheshkhala area under the jurisdiction of the Amtali police station.
A court granted a five-day police custody remand for Sharma after preliminary questioning, during which he disclosed the names of two other individuals involved in the heinous act.
The second accused, Sudip Chetri, was promptly apprehended by the Amtali police.
However, the third suspect, Prasenjit Paul, remains at large. Nonetheless, a substantial sum of Rs 90 lakh, believed to be connected to the crime, was seized from Paul’s residence, along with the vehicle used during the incident.
Preliminary investigations into the source of the seized money revealed Paul is allegedly involved in illegal activities such as gambling, particularly in relation to the Indian Premier League (IPL), and illicit lending practices.
As part of the investigation, Paul’s uncle, Lakhan Paul, was detained for questioning regarding his potential involvement in the gambling activities.
Tripura Police formed additional special teams and are conducting raids in various parts of the state to apprehend the remaining suspect and gather more evidence, utilizing scientific resources.
The investigation is currently ongoing, with authorities working diligently to uncover further details surrounding the case.
The rape victim, who was found unconscious on a bypass road on Ma9 last, remains hospitalized in serious condition.
The incident has sparked outrage throughout the state, leading to widespread protests organized by various organizations and student bodies.
State BJP secretary Papiya Datta, visited the victim in the hospital on Wednesday and provided assurances that the perpetrators would face appropriate consequences for their actions.
The Tripura Ganatantrik Nari Samity, the women’s wing of the CPIM, along with the SFI, DYFI, and other groups, staged a massive demonstration outside the police headquarters, demanding justice and punishment for the culprits.
As the investigation is underway, authorities remain committed to bringing all those responsible to justice and ensuring the safety and well-being of the victim.