Krishnanagar, Aug. 25: An 18-year-old girl, was shot dead at home in Krishnanagar by her estranged fiancé on Monday afternoon, a day before she was set to enroll for her graduation course. The incident has ignited intense public outrage over the prevailing law and order situation in the town.
The victim, Ishita Mullik, the daughter of a bank employee, Dulal Mullik, was murdered around 2:15 p.m. in the Manikpara area, barely 500 meters from the district police headquarters. Her former classmate and fiancé, Devraj Singh (22), son of a National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) employee, reportedly shot Ishita at least thrice at close range, with one bullet piercing her forehead and killing her instantly. She was rushed to a Nadia district hospital in Saktinagar area of the town but was declared brought dead.
According to family sources, Ishita had recently decided to cut off communication with Devraj, who had been her classmate in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kanchrapara, following a difference in their relationship. Ishita had cleared her Higher Secondary examination last year and had taken a year’s break before planning to take admission this week. The attack occurred when Ishita’s mother, Kusum, was engaged in household chores downstairs and her grandparents were resting after lunch.
Sources said Devraj entered the house armed with a revolver and went straight upstairs looking for Ishita. When Kusum tried to stop him, he threatened her with dire consequences. Ishita then came out to resist, at which point Devraj opened fire. A neighbor, who was the first to rush in after hearing the commotion, recounted the horrifying scene: “I heard two gunshots and rushed inside. I went to the first-floor room and found Ishita lying in a pool of blood on the floor… then I called the neighbours.”
Police have launched a suo motu case and have begun a probe, but the accused remained absconding until late last evening.
The exact motive behind the murder is yet to be formally established, but a preliminary inquiry and a statement issued by the Krishnanagar Police District both suggest the victim had recently
Devraj’s rented house in Dharampur, North 24 Parganas, was found locked. Neighbors, who described him as a studious but hot-headed person who kept a poor link with them due to his UP origin, appeared shocked by his actions.
DSP Shilpi Pal told reporters, “We are trying our best and exploring all possible aspects behind the murder. It will be too early to comment on the incident.”
The killing has prompted sharp criticism, with BJP’s Krishnanagar unit spokesperson Sandip Majumdar asserting, “People in Bengal are living on the heap of firearm,” highlighting the widespread concern over public safety.