Woman's charred body found in Malda; rape suspected

Days after the alleged rape and murder of a veterinary doctor in Hyderabad whose body was later burnt the charred body of a woman was found in West Bengal’s Malda district on Thursday. According to sources in the district police, initial investigation has indicated that the woman was perhaps raped and then killed.

“ It seems the woman was raped and strangled to death. Then her body was set on fire,” a senior district police official said.

Speaking to journalists Superintendent of Police of Malda Alok Rajoria said that “we have recovered a burnt dead body of a young body. We are yet to identify her. The reason behind her death or how she died can only be determined after the postmortem report arrives.”

Asked whether there was any possibility of the women being raped before being murdered Rajoria said that can only be told after the postmortem is conducted.

“After she is identified we will try to reach out to her family,” said Rajoria.

Deputy Superintendent Police of Malda Prasanta Debnath said that the body has been burnt in such a manner that it is difficult to identify the woman.

“ There were several injury marks on the woman’s body who was apparently about 20 years old. We have sent the body to the Malda Medical College for postmortem,” said Debnath.

The body was found by locals inside a mango orchard in the English Bazar Police Station area. Senior police officials including Superintendent of Police of Malda Alok Rajoria rushed to the spot after being informed by locals.

Police sources said that a pair of slippers and matchsticks were found near the body.

Earlier in the day a rape survivor at Unnao in Uttar Pradesh was allegedly set on fire by the accused and five other men. Similar incidents have taken place in Buxar in Bihar.