A court in Siliguri has sentenced Mohammad Abbas to death for the rape and murder of 17-year-old Diya Pradhan, a schoolgirl from the Nepali community in Matigara, West Bengal. The crime, which took place on August 21, 2023, shook the entire region.
Diya Pradhan, a schoolgirl from the Nepali community in Matigara, West Bengal. The incident, which occurred on August 21, 2023, shocked the entire region. Diya, a Class 11 student, was attacked in an abandoned hut in a forested area, where she was sexually assaulted and then killed. The perpetrator smashed her head with a brick to cover up the crime.Â
The case sparked widespread protests and outrage, leading to a 12-hour bandh in Siliguri, with various groups, including the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), demanding justice for the victim. Abbas was arrested by the Matigara police on the same night as the crime, and the trial commenced in January 2024.
The body of the victim was found in an isolated hut in the forests of the Matigara area on August 21 last year. The incident triggered massive protests throughout the state.
After more than a year of proceedings, Abbas was found guilty under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the Indian Penal Code. The court also ordered a compensation of ₹10 lakh to be given to Diya Pradhan’s family.
The public prosecutor expressed satisfaction with the verdict, describing it as a necessary and just outcome for the severity of the crime. Diya’s family also welcomed the decision, expressing relief that justice had been served after a long and painful trial.
