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Man arrested over minor girl’s rape in Cooch Behar; cop injured during protest

Locals in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district are observing a 12-hour shutdown after the minor girl was allegedly raped.

2 min readKolkataUpdated: Jan 25, 2026 09:38 PM IST

The police in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district said a man was arrested on Saturday night over the minor girl's rape.

Tensions erupted in West Bengal’s Cooch Behar district after a minor girl was allegedly raped by an elderly man on Thursday. While the alleged rapist has been arrested, eight others have been arrested for attacking police during a protest where locals blocked a road demanding the death penalty for the arrested man.

According to local sources, when the minor girl went to the riverside near her house on Thursday afternoon, the elderly man threatened her with a sharp weapon and raped her, before a woman who arrived at the scene rescued her.

Despite threats from the elderly man, the girl’s family filed a police complaint, the sources said. However, locals alleged that the police had delayed the arrest. The situation turned volatile on Saturday night, when the locals set tires on fire and blocked roads at the local market. When the police arrived, stones were reportedly pelted at them, and the officer-in-charge of the local station was injured. In response, the police resorted to a mild lathi-charge to disperse the crowd.

The locals are observing a 12-hour shutdown in the area, leaving shops and markets closed. A police contingent is patrolling the area, which remains tense.

The police said the elderly man was arrested on Saturday night and that the allegations against him were being investigated. “We have received a complaint regarding the rape incident. Based on that, one person has been arrested under the Pocso Act. Additionally, eight others have been arrested for obstructing police work and attacking police personnel,” senior police official told mediapersons.

Sweety Kumari

Sweety Kumari is a seasoned journalist reporting from West Bengal for The Indian Express. With over a decade of experience in the media industry and eight years specifically with The Indian Express, she demonstrates considerable Expertise and Authority across a diverse range of critical beats. Experience & Authority Current Role: Journalist, The Indian Express, reporting from West Bengal. Extensive Tenure: Over 10 years of experience in the media industry, with a long association (8 years) with The Indian Express, contributing to a high level of Trustworthiness. Diverse Coverage: Covers crucial beats including Crime, Defence, Health, and Politics, alongside writing on trending topics. Investigative Focus: Possesses a keen eye for investigative and human-interest stories, demonstrating depth and skill in impactful journalism. Beat Versatility: Has honed her craft across diverse beats, including aviation and reporting on various incidents, ensuring well-rounded and comprehensive reportage. Career Start: Began her journalistic journey as an Entertainment and lifestyle journalist with a news portal in Kolkata, providing a foundational understanding of media landscape and audience engagement. Education Advanced Education: Holds a PG in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University, equipping her with advanced media theory and skills. Undergraduate Education: Holds an Honours degree in Journalism from Jaipuria College. Multilingual Skill: Her fluency in English, Hindi, Bengali, and Maithili enhances her reach and capability to connect with diverse sources and communities in the region, adding a layer of accessibility and authenticity to her reporting. Regional Roots: Originally from Bihar, she was brought up and educated in Kolkata (Kendriya Vidyalaya Salt Lake), giving her a deep, personal understanding of the cultural and political nuances of her reporting region. Sweety Kumari's combination of significant experience, specialization in key beats like Crime and Politics, and strong academic background makes her a trusted and authoritative contributor to The Indian Express. ... Read More

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