Left Leg Permanently Crippled, 10–12 Teeth Lost: The Devastating Price a 14-Year-Old Hindu Girl Paid In a Desperate Leap to Escape Abduction and Forced Marriage By Bappa Sheikh in Murshidabad After Months of Death Threats and Coercion

Months of Intimidation, Death Threats, Molestation and Alleged Assault

In Bagshira village under Suti Police Station in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, a 14-year-old girl’s life has been devastated by a months-long ordeal of alleged harassment, intimidation and threats. According to a police complaint filed by her father Sanjoy Ghosh on 4th August, Bappa Sheikh repeatedly harassed the minor, demanding that she run away from home and marry him.

The complaint alleges that Bappa regularly appeared outside the Ghosh residence, threatening to summon a mob, abduct the girl by force and murder her father and brother. He is also accused of repeatedly attempting to break into the family’s home at night. The girl further alleged that he attempted to molest her and assaulted her on multiple occasions while she was travelling for her studies.

The consequences were devastating. Fear became a prison of its own with the child becoming too terrified to leave home and suffering from depression by late July. The complaint also accuses Bappa’s mother and aunt of encouraging his alleged conduct.

Bappa gave the 14-year-old girl a chilling ultimatum on the noon of 31st July, come out and marry him immediately or watch her family be murdered that very day. Trapped in terror and despair, the minor attempted suicide by jumping from a height of at least 20 feet.

She was rushed to Jangipur Hospital and subsequently referred to Baharampur Hospital as her condition deteriorated.

Arrest Is Not the End of Justice

Following contact with Sanjoy Ghosh, representatives of Hindu Voice reported that Bappa Sheikh has been arrested and is currently in police custody. However, according to the family, his mother and aunt has not been arrested inspite of allegations that they had encouraged his behaviour and were involved in at least one incident of breaking into the Ghosh household.

The physical consequences of the child’s fall are horrifying. She underwent surgery on her left leg but has permanently lost the ability to bend it at the knee. She has also lost 10–12 teeth as a result of the impact.

A 14-year-old should be worrying about school, friendships and her future and not whether she will be abducted, assaulted or forced into marriage. No child should have to choose between submitting to coercion and fearing for her family’s lives.