Prime Accused in Assam Gang Rape Found Dead After Escape from Custody

The body of Tafazul Islam, the prime accused in the alleged gang rape of a minor in Assam, was recovered after he escaped from police custody and jumped into a pond. While operations continue to apprehend the other suspects, the incident has sparked significant local protests and demands for stringent action.

The body of Tafazul Islam, the prime accused in the alleged gang rape of a minor girl in Dhing, Assam, has been recovered, police reported Saturday morning. Islam reportedly escaped custody, leapt into a pond, and drowned.

Nagaon district's Superintendent of Police, Swapnaneel Deka, told ANI that Islam was arrested Friday night. Police took him to the crime scene for investigation, where he attempted to flee and jumped into the nearby pond. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) aided police in the search, recovering his body this morning.

Efforts to apprehend the other two suspects continue. The 14-year-old victim was allegedly gang-raped by three men on August 22 while returning from tuition classes, triggering widespread protests. Assam's Director General of Police, GP Singh, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have emphasized the urgency of taking strict actions against the culprits. Locals found the victim semi-conscious by a roadside and she was immediately hospitalized.

(With inputs from agencies.)