In a disturbing and controversial incident, Tafazul Islam, the prime accused in a gang rape case involving a 14-year-old girl in Assam’s Nagaon district, died in police custody on August 24, 2024. According to the police, Islam drowned while attempting to escape during a crime scene investigation.
The incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning when Islam, who had been arrested the previous day, was taken by the police to the crime scene in Dhing for further investigation. At around 4 a.m., Islam reportedly tried to flee by jumping into a nearby pond. Despite immediate efforts by the police and a two-hour rescue operation, his body was recovered from the water.
Islam was one of three suspects accused of abducting and brutally assaulting the minor on August 21. The girl was reportedly ambushed by the men as she was returning home from tuition. The crime has ignited outrage across the region, with massive protests demanding swift justice for the victim.
The circumstances of Islam’s death have led to significant public concern and scrutiny over the handling of the case by the authorities. Human rights groups and local residents have called for a thorough investigation into the incident, questioning whether proper protocols were followed during the custody and investigation.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has responded to the outcry, reiterating the government’s commitment to taking strict and decisive action against those involved in such heinous crimes. He emphasized that the government would ensure that justice is served and that there would be no tolerance for any lapses in the handling of the case.
Meanwhile, the search for the other two accused continues, with the police under intense pressure to bring the remaining perpetrators to justice. The case has become a focal point of public anger and has raised broader concerns about the safety and security of women in the region.
As the investigation continues, the incident is likely to remain a subject of intense debate, with calls for greater accountability and transparency in the handling of such sensitive cases.
