Tripura man arrested for rape, murder of granddaughter

Agartala: A 70-year-old man accused of raping and killing his 16-year-old granddaughter has been sent to 14-day judicial custody after being produced before a court on Saturday, police said. The accused, Pranballabh Das, was arrested after the girl’s body was recovered from their residence on April 30. According to police, a case was registered based on a complaint filed by the victim’s father, Bapi Das. Following the complaint, officers booked the accused on charges of rape and murder and took him into custody. Officer-in-Charge of Sonamura Police Station, Tapas Das, said the accused was presented before a special POCSO court, which granted judicial remand for 14 days considering his age. "Pranballabh Das was produced before a special Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) court at Sonamura seeking judicial remand for interrogation in view of his age, and the court granted a 14-day jail remand. As per the order, the police will be allowed to interrogate the accused as and when it requires", Tapas Das stated. Police said initial investigation indicates that the minor, who had been staying with her grandfather, was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual abuse. The victim’s father, who works with a private security agency in Bengaluru and had remarried, returned home after learning about his daughter’s death."We want capital punishment for the accused to send a strong message that the individual who commits such a heinous crime has no place in our society. Murdering the grand daughter following rape is under investigation, and the post-mortem report is expected next Monday, which shall widen the avenue of revelation," police added.