Punjab Police arrest rape accused from Siliguri, court grants 5-day transit remand

Siliguri, 07th October: Punjab Police arrested a man from Siliguri in connection with the alleged rape of a 5-year-old girl in Punjab. The accused, identified as 45-year-old Pinku Mandal, was arrested from the Regulated Market area under Pradhan Nagar Police Station and was subsequently produced before the Siliguri court.

Mandal, originally from Bihar, works as a labourer and was reportedly working at the Regulated Market in Siliguri. According to police sources, the accused was living and working with the girl’s family in Salempur village, Punjab, where they were engaged in agricultural labour.

Police sources stated that the incident took place when the girl’s parents had gone out for work, leaving her alone. The child later informed her mother about the incident, following which the family lodged a complaint with the Punjab Police.

Following the complaint, police launched an investigation, but the accused allegedly fled from the area. After searching for him for around four months, Punjab Police received information that he was staying and working in the Regulated Market area of Siliguri.

Punjab Police subsequently contacted the Siliguri Metropolitan Police. On Wednesday, with the assistance of Pradhan Nagar Police, a raid was conducted at the Regulated Market, leading to Mandal’s arrest.

He was produced before the Siliguri court, where Punjab Police sought transit remand to take him to Punjab. The court granted five days’ transit remand considering the seriousness of the case.

Following the court order, Punjab Police left for Punjab with the accused. Further investigation into the case is being conducted by the Punjab Police.