'Kill your son': Caught kissing 13-year-old girlfriend; teen, father and friend assaulted, 'paraded naked' at gunpoint in Kolkata

KOLKATA: In an unprecedented incident in the heart of the city that resembled a medieval kangaroo court, an 18-year-old youth, his father, and his 19-year-old friend were reportedly severely assaulted, threatened at gunpoint, stripped, and forced to parade naked for more than 50 metres through a congested street in Sarsuna, south-west Kolkata, on Sunday evening by the family of the teenager’s minor girlfriend.The public humiliation unfolded after the youth was allegedly caught kissing his minor girlfriend near Khalpar Math in the Khudiram Pally area on Oct 25.Local outrage over the incident erupted into violence on Monday as enraged residents vandalised the house of the prime suspects and confronted the police over alleged delays in handling the case and arresting all the accused.The police denied any delay, insisting that three persons had been arrested so far, including the parents of the 13-year-old girl and her maternal uncle.According to eyewitnesses, the girl’s family had opposed the romantic relationship from the outset. The situation escalated dramatically when an associate of the girl’s relative spotted the couple together. The youth and his friend were dragged to the girl’s residence, locked inside a room, and assaulted by her father and maternal uncle.The girl’s family then summoned the youth’s father to the house, where the assault continued. The victim’s father alleged that he was also threatened with death.“They called me over, confined the three of us, and then severely assaulted me while many people were present. Later, they seemed to think that if they kept beating us like that, we might die. Then they gave me a choice: ‘Kill your son. If you don’t use a gun, stab him with a knife.’ The girl’s mother said it would not be that easy. She said she would heat the knife on the gas stove and hand it to me so that I could thrust it into my son’s stomach. I had no choice but to agree to strip to save my son,” the youth’s father alleged.Area residents recounted that the assailants held firearms and threatened to kill anyone who attempted to intervene.“The 18-year-old youth’s father was given three choices: shoot his son, stab him, or make him walk naked. They had guns in their hands and kept telling others to shoot. When we protested, they threatened us too, saying, ‘Get out of here, or we’ll open fire.’ Later, the boy’s father told us that this was the only way he could save his son,” claimed Arnab Saha, a local resident.“The 18-year-old victim had gone to meet the 13-year-old girl along with his 19-year-old friend near Khalpar Math in Sarsuna. While talking, the youth allegedly kissed her, which was witnessed by an associate of the girl’s uncle. He informed the girl’s maternal uncle and father, who then brought both boys to their house in Khudiram Pally. There, they assaulted the two boys and instructed the youth to call his father. In the meantime, the maternal uncle called three to four of his friends to the residence. When the youth’s father arrived, they assaulted him as well and threatened to kill them with a gun if they did not parade naked. They then forced the three of them to parade naked for about 50 metres in the lane outside,” said Additional CP (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal.Based on the complaint filed by the young man’s father, Sarsuna police station registered a case under sections pertaining to attempted murder (109), gang assault (118(i)), severe bodily harm (117(2)), illegal confinement (127(2)), extortion (356(2)), criminal intimidation (351(3)), abduction (140(3)) and organised crime (3(5)), along with relevant sections of the Arms Act for possessing unlicensed firearms.“The main accused—the parents of the girl and her maternal uncle—have been arrested. Raids are ongoing to apprehend the remaining accused. The medical examination of the young victims has been completed. They alleged that they were threatened at gunpoint to undress; however, no weapons have been recovered so far. CCTV footage is being collected, and several local witnesses have been identified for examination,” said Aggarwal.Locals alleged political support for the accused. “The key figures behind this were local Trinamool strongmen with close ties to a former councillor. The entire incident was horrifying for the women in the area—my wife and sister-in-law were deeply shaken after witnessing it while visiting a neighbour for Lakshmi Puja,” Saha further alleged.The Trinamool Congress called the act “dastardly” and stated that none of its supporters were involved. “This is being deliberately politicised,” stated a former area councillor, who refused to be named.Neighbours also alleged that local police were initially negligent in responding to the crime. “The police failed to conduct a proper search. At first, they claimed there were no men inside the house. Local residents went in and found the girl’s father. Now it is being claimed that we vandalised the house. We want this family out of our neighbourhood,” claimed another neighbour.The incident drew sharp condemnation from civil society groups and activists. Social activist Saswati Ghosh said, “Those responsible for this are mentally unstable. And as for those who witnessed it—did they simply enjoy the spectacle, or did they protest? That must also be investigated.”Sayoni Chowdhury Patra, a social commentator and political science expert, stated, “Mob vigilantism is repeatedly playing out in the city, but never in this form before. We need to examine why this has become a widespread malaise affecting even urban areas.”You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolkata | Silver Rate in Kolkata | Bank Holidays in Kolkata | Public Holidays in Kolkata | Kolkata AQI | Weather in Kolkata | Petrol Price in Kolkata | Diesel Price in Kolkata | CNG Price in Kolkata | LPG Price in KolkataStay updated with the latest Kolkata news. Download the TOI App.