Dibrugarh child abuse case: Son arrested, accused couple still absconding

According to the police, the accused couple poured boiling water on the minor at Milan Nagar area in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh town.

T8 Digital Desk
September 3, 2020
8:46 pm

GUWAHATI: The Dibrugarh police on Thursday arrested the son of the accused couple of the Dibrugarh child abuse case Dr Siddhi Prasad Deuri and Mitali Konwar on the suspicion of his involvement with the incident.

According to the police, other family members were also questioned. “However, the accused couple – Dr Deuri and his wife Mitali Konwar has still been absconding. We are confident that they will be nabbed at the earliest,” the police said.

Notably, the revelation of the prominent couple’s inhuman act allegedly committed upon a minor, who was engaged as a domestic help in their residence, sparked a wave of anger and criticism among the conscious citizens of the state. Though the incident occurred days back, it came to light only on August 31.

It was alleged that Dr Deuri, who is said to be a doctor at the Assam Medical College & Hospital (AMCH) and his wife Mitali Konwar, Principal of Moran College, poured boiling water on the minor at Milan Nagar area in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh town.

“On Thursday, the police conducted raids in several places. The son and daughter of the accused were also suspected to be present at the time of the incident,” the police claimed.

Earlier, Dibrugarh district’s superintendent of police Prateek Thube said that Dr Deuri’s association with the Assam Medical College & Hospital was yet to be confirmed. Dr Deuri is 65-year-old now.

On Thursday, the students’ community of the Moran College also staged a protest in front of the college and demanded immediate arrest of the accused. While condemning the incident, the students said, “We demand the local administration, state as well as the Central government to take necessary action against the accused of engaging child labour. The victim child should be given justice at the earliest.”

Earlier, taking cognizance of the incident, the Assam State Commission for Protection of Child Rights requested the authority to conduct the investigation on fast track mode and submit the charge sheet accordingly. The Commission also directed the police to submit the Action Taken Report within two days.