Assam: Man accused of raping daughter slits wife’s throat in court

GUWAHATI, June 16, 2018: In an incident that took place in the city, a man, who was accused of raping his minor daughter, slit his wife's throat on the premises of the district and sessions court on Friday.

The accused identified as Purna Nahar Deka, 35, a resident of Longbong Ali Singa village in Jeypore area of Naharkatia in Dibrugarh district, had come to the court for the hearing of a case filed by his wife, Rita, 29, at Naharkatia police station in September 2017, accusing him of raping their 13-year-old daughter at home.

The incident took place at around 10.40am, when Deka was sitting with Rita and other family members on a bench on the courtroom veranda, waiting for the hearing, an altercation broke out between the couple. He suddenly whipped out a knife from his trouser pocket and sliced Rita's neck before anyone could react. The victim collapsed on the spot in a pool of blood. The accused tried to run but was overpowered by the court security staff with the help of people and lawyers. Rita was rushed to the Assam Medical College and Hospital where doctors declared her brought dead.

The police immediately arrested the accused and brought him to Dibrugarh police station. "We will present him in court on Saturday," police official said.

Dibrugarh police station officer-in-charge Siddheswar Borah told The Telegraph , "Deka's wife had a filed a case against him for raping their minor daughter in September 2017. He was in Dibrugarh Central Jail for nine months and five days. He was granted bail by the court on June 6. Today, he had come for the hearing. His wife and her family members were also waiting outside the courtroom. The accused suddenly slashed his wife's neck. The incident was so sudden that no one had time to react. Investigations are on." A case has been filed against Deka under Sections 302 (punishment for murder) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC, he said.

The couple also have a 15-year-old son.

Sources said the incident caused a commotion in the bustling court with everyone running helter-skelter. The police said it is not yet known how Deka managed to take the knife inside the court. Lawyers have demanded that security on the court's premises be tightened.

Source: The Telegraph

Featured image: The Telegraph/ANI