Siliguri, 17th September: In a major development, the Detective Department (DD) of Siliguri Metropolitan Police has arrested Suman Sheel, the prime suspect in the mysterious death of Kalchini resident Riya Thapa, from Dakshin Dinajpur.
The accused, who had been on the run, was apprehended in Dharampur village of Goalpokhar based on a tip-off. The DD team brought him to Siliguri on Monday night.
The case dates back to September 9, when Riya Thapa was found dead under suspicious circumstances in a rented house in Dashrath Pally, Ward No. 40, Siliguri. The incident caused widespread sensation in the area. Following the discovery, Thapa’s family lodged a formal complaint at Bhakti Nagar police station, accusing a youth named Suman Sheel of involvement in her death. MP Raju Bista later visited the family at Kiran Chandra crematorium, demanding a thorough and fair investigation into the matter.
The case was subsequently handed over to the Detective Department, which launched a search operation for the absconding suspect. After continuous raids, the DD team successfully arrested Suman Sheel in Dakshin Dinajpur and brought him to Siliguri.
According to police sources, Thapa had reportedly been in contact with her ex-boyfriend, which led to a dispute between her and Sheel on September 9. After the argument, Sheel left Thapa’s house, only to later learn of her death by suicide.
However, the arrested suspect claims innocence, alleging that Riya’s ex-boyfriend was responsible for her death and that he is being framed. The police are expected to request remand for the accused during his appearance in court. Currently, a detailed investigation is underway.