Tripura: MLA’s nephew among four held after woman’s mysterious burn death

Agartala: Tripura Police have detained four persons, including an MLA's nephew, in connection with the sensational death of a housewife due to burn injuries in Udaipur's Mirza area under Gomati District of Tripura.

Earlier, authorities suspended an Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police after allegations surfaced that he had ignored the complaint filed by the deceased and her husband.

While sources claimed that the woman took her own life, her husband alleged that a group of five persons had murdered her.

Locals found the charred body of the 32-year-old woman lying on the road on the morning of September 19.

The tragic incident quickly drew the attention of political parties, with leaders from both the ruling and opposition camps visiting her residence to stand beside the grieving family.

Speaking to the media, an official of Kakraban Police Station said that the husband of Anjali Sarkar lodged an FIR naming five persons.

"Police have detained four persons for interrogation, including Anupam Majumder alias Manna, Kinkar Das, Dipankar Das, and Akash Das. They filed the case under BNS sections 71, 351(2), 118(2), and 103(2). Earlier, they had registered a separate case after discovering the woman's mortal remains. Investigators are currently conducting the inquiry. The prime accused, Litan Das, remains at large. Police are continuing raids to trace him," the police official said.

Anupam Majumder is reportedly the nephew of sitting BJP MLA Jitendra Majumder.

Chief Minister Manik Saha has also ordered a thorough probe into the matter.

"Authorities have ordered a detailed enquiry into the Mirza incident. They will bring all those involved in this heinous crime to justice as per the law. In connection with the case, police have arrested four accused persons," Saha wrote on social media.

Sources claimed that Litan Das and his gang roughed up the woman and her husband on the night of September 18.

They immediately sought police help and filed a complaint as well. But the on-duty officer did not respond promptly.

In view of this, the errant official, identified as ASI Sanjoy Sarkar, was placed under suspension.

A delegation of Left leaders, including MLA Shyamal Chakraborty, visited the house of the victim. After his visit, he informed the media that the opposition party would raise the issue in the Assembly.

CLP leader Birajit Sinha and Congress CWC member Sudip Roy Barman also visited the victim's house.

“We don't consider it an unnatural death. The chronology of events before the death indicates that it is a gruesome murder. The culprits are well connected, as the nephew of a sitting MLA has been named as one of the prime suspects. We have expressed our concerns before senior police officials, and we hope the strictest possible action will be initiated against the accused persons,” said Roy Barman.

Finance Minister Pranajit Singha Roy and Matabari MLA Abhisek Debroy also went to the house of the victim and expressed their condolences to the grieving family.

On the background of the case, sources said that Litan Das, who happens to be the son of a ruling party leader, had helped the deceased and her husband set up a shop.

Das was a frequent visitor to the shop, but recently the relationship between the couple and Das deteriorated for mysterious reasons. Since then, the couple had been enduring threats and intimidation.