On August 22, 2024, a 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men in Nagaon district, Assam, sparking widespread protests and calls for justice. The incident took a dramatic turn on August 24 when the prime suspect, Tafazul Islam, died while in police custody after jumping into a pond during an investigation.According to Swapnaneel Deka, Superintendent of Police of Nagaon district, Islam was taken to the crime scene for investigation around 3:30 am when he attempted to escape and jumped into a nearby pond. After a two-hour search operation, his body was recovered. The police have arrested one suspect and detained another, while the search for the third accused continues.The incident has led to significant public outrage. In a striking development, villagers of Borbheti, Islam’s family home, have refused to participate in his funeral prayers or allow his burial in the village graveyard. This action underscores the community’s strong condemnation of the alleged crime.Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has vowed strict action against the perpetrators, stating, ‘We will NOT SPARE anyone & BRING the perpetrators to JUSTICE’. Sarma also highlighted a concerning trend, noting that 23 rape cases have been reported in Assam since June 4, with such crimes reportedly on the rise in areas where the indigenous population is decreasing.The case has reignited debates about women’s safety and the handling of such crimes by law enforcement. In response, the Director General of Police has called for increased security measures, including enhanced patrolling around educational institutions. As investigations continue, the incident remains a focal point of public attention and political discourse in Assam.
Key points
- A 14-year-old girl was allegedly gang-raped by three men in Nagaon district, Assam on August 22, 2024.
- The prime suspect, Tafazul Islam, died in police custody after jumping into a pond during an investigation.
- Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has vowed strict action against the perpetrators.
- Villagers have refused to allow the burial of the prime suspect in the local graveyard, showing strong community condemnation.
- The case has sparked widespread protests and debates about women’s safety in the region.
Contradictions👾There are slight discrepancies in the spelling of names across sources, such as ‘Tafazul Islam’ vs ‘Taffazul Islam’ vs ‘Tafiqul Islam’.
The core facts of the story remain consistent across sources.
