Kirtan singer 'raped', one held

Kolkata, Apr 15: A kirtan singer and writer was allegedly raped by her percussionist on Saturday. The accused, who had taken her to Gurudasnagar on the pretext of performing kirtan and raped her, was arrested from his house on Sunday. The victim has recently written a novel against rape.

The singer, a 36-year-old resident of Hedua in North Kolkata, said her percussionist Bibhas Haldar asked her to go to Gurudasnagar to perform kirtan. "I caught a train and reached Diamond Harbour. He came there to receive me," said the victim. The victim was offered cold drinks. "After having it, I started feeling uneasy. I asked him to take me to the station so that I can go back home." The accused is also from Gurudasnagar.

On the pretext of taking her to station, the accused took the singer to a desolate place on his bike and raped her. The victim was not in a position to resist.

Haldar even allegedly threatened her to kill, if she dared to approach police. "I pleaded him to take me to railway station so that I can go back home. He finally left me at the station. I somehow managed to board a train," she said.

The victim then called her family and said that she fell ill and someone must come to Sealdah station to receive her. "I fell unconscious in the train."

After receiving the victim in a semi-conscious state, her husband took her to the Medical College. There she narrated her plight to her husband and the doctors. Her medical examination was conducted. Later, After garnering courage, with the advise of the doctor, lodged

she lodged a complaint with Bowbazar police station. Police recorded the complaint and charged the accused with 376 (rape), 506 (criminal intimidation). Soon after her complaint, police swung into action and raided his house at Gurudaspur and arrested Haldar.