In a harrowing case from the Jatanbari Bazar Tilla area under Natun Bazar Police Station in Gomati district, a 75-year-old man has been formally accused of raping his daughter-in-law.
The allegations have led to a cascade of tragedies, including the suicide of the accused man's son, who local sources say was driven to take his own life after being unable to cope with the psychological anguish and social stigma that followed the revelation.
The accused, identified as Sukumar Das, was taken into protective custody by police after a large crowd of enraged locals cornered him. Before law enforcement could intervene, the mob subjected him to public degradation—garlanding him with shoes, smearing black ink across his face, and parading him through the local market. He was later tied to a pole, beaten, and pelted with rotten eggs as residents voiced their fury.
The victim, described by neighbours as a soft-spoken and gentle homemaker, is said to have endured prolonged physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her in-laws, according to local accounts. The incident reportedly came to light days earlier when a female neighbour allegedly witnessed the elderly father-in-law engaging in inappropriate conduct with the woman inside the family home. Since then, the matter had become the subject of intense local gossip and debate.
In the wake of the allegations, the victim’s husband, Pradeep Das, reportedly took his own life by hanging. Community members believe the shame and trauma associated with the incident overwhelmed him, though police have not yet officially confirmed the motive behind the suicide.
The case has prompted widespread anger and demands for swift justice. Many in the area have called for exemplary punishment if the accused is found guilty, hoping that severe legal consequences will act as a deterrent against similar crimes.
A police investigation is now underway. Authorities have not yet released an official statement on the status of the charges or the forensic evidence collected.
