The prompt filing of the charge-sheet by the police after a thorough probe is key to the nailing of an accused. The alacrity with which Kolkata police files charge-sheets in cases helps in convictions.
A case was registered with Sinthi Police Station on August 29, 2009, under sections 302/34/394/411 IPC for the murder of a school teacher.
Three persons were accused in the case in which the police nabbed two of them while the third is still absconding.
It is interesting to note that the date and month of the incident and the delivery of justice are the same. The case was recorded on 29 August 2009 and the judgment was delivered on 29 August 2019.
Both the accused were denied bail even during the investigation and trial process. The court on 29 August, 2019 sentenced the two prime accused to life imprisonment in the murder case.
According to the police, 33-year-old Sushmita Biswas, an English medium school teacher, used to live with her husband and their one and a half-year-old son at 6B/1B, Santrapara Lane Kolkata-50.
Sushmita’s husband Rakesh Biswas is an employee of Wipro Company at Salt Lake sector-V. Sushmita’s in-laws and her father’s houses are at the same place in 6D/IB Santrapara Lane.
The victim used to frequently visit her ailing parents along with her one and a half-year-old son. She used to spend some time with them and return home after her husband arrived from the office. Around 10 pm when her husband returned home from the office, Sushmita used to come back to her in-law’s house.
The victim’s younger maternal uncle, Subhashish Ghosh, a businessman, had also stayed for a few days at the victim’s father’s house. On 28 August 2009, the two business partners of the victim’s maternal uncle had visited Sushmita’s father house and she served them tea and biscuits.
After business-related discussions with Subhashish, the trio left the house. Meanwhile, Subhashish went along with the guests to Dumdum station which is very close to their house. Before the maternal uncle came back from Dumdum station on 28 August 2009, three youths (aged between 25 and 30 years) came to Sushmita father’s house and started calling the name of Krishnendu Dutta. Krinshnedu is the cousin of the victim. When Sushmita opened the door, the youths barged into the room and started talking to her father.
Sushmita asked both the youths that her father was suffering from some illness, so please don’t disturb him and leave the house immediately. But before leaving the house, they pounced upon the gold ornament Sushmita was wearing and tried to escape through the staircase. Sushmita ran behind them and caught hold of one of them. Unable to escape, one of the culprits took out a knife and stabbed Biswas multiple times as a result she sustained severe injuries on her chest.
After hearing her cries, Sushmita’s mother came out of her house and found her daughter bleeding profusely. As she shouted for help and alerted her neighbours, the criminals escaped in the commotion.
Meanwhile, the police were informed, who immediately rushed to the spot and brought Sushmita to RG Kar hospital where the doctors declared brought her dead. An FIR was lodged with Sinthi Police station in this connection. The police started the investigation and recorded the statement of the witness and the victim’s mother.
Police nabbed the main accused Bablu Ghosh from Dumdum bus stand while several places were raided to nab the other accused. Finally, Pradip Orang was arrested from Adibasi Para of Barasat on September 19, 2009. But the police failed to nab the third accused.
The police recovered the chain from Bablu’s possession. On September 11, 2009 police also recovered the knives used in the crime.
Subsequently, TI parade was arranged for both the accused at Presidency correctional home and another at Alipore correctional home. After completion of the investigation, the charge-sheet was submitted before the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Sealdah court Kolkata on 23 November 2009 under sections 302/34/394/411 IPC.
During the trial, a total of 21 witnesses, including five police officers and two doctors submitted their evidence before the court. Additional district and session judge, Fast track court –II, Sealdah conducted the trial of the case. Both the accused did not get bail for even a single day from their day of arrest during the process of investigation and trial.
The accused Bablu Ghosh aka Bapi and Pradip Orang aka Bania were found guilty on all counts under sections 302/34/394/411 IPC. While delivering the judgment considering the materials on record and evidence, both the accused Bablu Ghosh and Pradip Orang were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment and a fine of Rs 10,000 was imposed on both.
The motive of the crime: Atanu Tarafder inspector of the detective department Kolkata police said: “On 28 August 2009 around 22.20 hrs while three unknown youths tried to escape through the staircase after snatching the gold chain of Sushmita, she nabbed one of them. To escape from her clutches, the accused attacked her with a knife due to which she suffered grievous injuries. The woman was removed to R.G. Kar Medical College and hospital where the doctors declared her brought dead.”
By Mohammad Asif
