An 11-year-old boy was found hanging from a tree in West Bengal’s Malda district, with his family alleging that he was murdered by a group of youths after witnessing a goat theft. The incident has triggered tension in the area, while police have launched an investigation and detained one suspect.
The incident took place on Tuesday afternoon in Chamagram Baganpara under Sujapur Gram Panchayat in Kaliachak Block-1. Police recovered the body from a litchi orchard located around 150 metres from the victim’s home and sent it for post-mortem examination, scheduled for Wednesday.
The deceased has been identified as Fahim Sheikh, a Class V student and the only child of Hajikul Sheikh, a small-scale trader, and Tanuja Khatun, a homemaker.
According to family members, Fahim had finished lunch around 1 pm and was using his mobile phone when he received a call around 1:30 pm. Despite being warned by his mother not to step out in the rain, he left home shortly thereafter. Within half an hour, locals informed the family that the boy had been found hanging from a tree nearby.
Villagers alleged that a group of local youths had been involved in stealing goats and that Fahim had witnessed the act. When he threatened to expose them, the youths allegedly strangled him and later hanged his body from a tree in an attempt to pass it off as suicide.
Tension escalated after the body was discovered, with locals gathering at the orchard. Enraged villagers apprehended one of the accused, identified as Jasim Sheikh, and allegedly assaulted him. Police from Kaliachak police station rushed to the spot, rescued the injured youth, and took him to Silampur Rural Hospital. He was later referred to Malda Medical College, where he remains in critical condition.
A district police official confirmed that a formal complaint has been lodged by the victim’s family. Jasim Sheikh has been detained, and another suspect has been identified, though he is currently absconding. A search operation is underway to locate him.
Fahim’s mother, Tanuja Khatun, alleged that her son was lured out of the house through a phone call and murdered. “He was my only son. Some local boys killed him after he saw them stealing. I want justice for my child,” she said.
Fahim’s uncle, Sayem Sheikh, also expressed suspicion of foul play, stating that the manner in which the body was found suggested it was not a case of suicide. He added that the family had no known enmity with anyone.
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