Toto driver arrested within 48 hours in Newtown rape and murder case

In a swift development, the Kolkata Police have arrested a Toto driver in connection with the horrific rape and murder of a minor girl in Newtown. The arrest comes within 48 hours of the gruesome discovery of the victim's body, marking a significant breakthrough in the investigation. The accused has been identified as Soumitra Roy, also known as Raj, a resident of Ranaghat who resided in a rented house in the Newtown Adarshpalli area.

The breakthrough came after police meticulously reviewed CCTV footage from the area. The footage clearly showed Soumitra Roy's Toto picking up the young girl near the Newtown City Square Bridge on Thursday night. This crucial piece of evidence allowed investigators to identify and subsequently apprehend the suspect. Soumitra was arrested on Saturday night from the Newtown Police Camp area.

During interrogation, Soumitra's statements were riddled with inconsistencies, further solidifying the police's suspicions. According to sources, the CCTV footage from approximately 11:49 pm on Thursday shows the victim boarding Soumitra's Toto in the Jagatpur area. Police sources indicate that the victim, feeling unsafe on the deserted road after leaving her home following a disagreement with her mother, had flagged down the Toto to reach her residence in Gaurang Nagar.

The investigation revealed a chilling sequence of events. After picking up the victim, Soumitra allegedly dropped off other passengers, leaving the young girl alone with him in the Toto. Instead of taking her home, he drove her through various Newtown roads to a secluded forested area near Loha Bridge. During interrogation, Soumitra confessed to raping and then murdering the minor girl in this desolate location.

The accused was presented in court on Sunday, where he was remanded to police custody. The police are now focused on further interrogation to determine if Soumitra acted alone or if others were involved in the heinous crime. The police are also working to piece together the events leading up to the victim's encounter with the accused.

The victim's half-naked body was discovered on Friday morning in the forest near Loha Bridge in Newtown. She was later identified as a resident of North 24 Parganas. While it is known that she left her home after a dispute with her mother, questions remain about how she reached Newtown and whether she was accompanied by anyone. The police and the state CID team are diligently working to unravel these mysteries and bring closure to this tragic case.