Bengal: Newly-married couple found dead at Visva Bharati campus
In a shocking incident, a newly-married couple was found dead at Visva Bharati University campus in West Bengal's Birbhum district. The deceased, identified as 18-year-old Somnath Mahato and 19-year-old Abantika passed away on Friday night, just a few weeks after they tied the knot. While an investigation has been launched, prima facie it looks like a case of suicide. Here's what happened.
Somnath and Abantika studied at the same school
The bodies were discovered near Cheena Bhavana, another name given to Department of Chinese Language & Culture at the varsity. Both Somnath and Abantika studied at Srinanda High School at Bolpur. While the boy appeared for his higher secondary exams this year, Abantika wrote her Class 10 exams. Notably, Pradip Chatterjee, their school's headmaster, wasn't aware Somnath and Abantika got married.
Apparently, Abantika didn't prefer staying with her mother
According to reports, Abantika was brought up at a home run by a local NGO. After staying there for four years, she was released on April 16. A relative told TOI that they heard Abantika got married soon after she left the home. The person added that despite having a mother, Abantika preferred staying with them in accordance with government rules.
Relative said Abantika was a good performer
"We made the required arrangements for her studies and training. She was a very good performer. We are shocked with the terrible news of her death today," Abantika's relative added.
Separately, Somnath's relative said his parents accepted the marriage
On a related note, Somnath's relative revealed that the couple's marriage was solemnized at a local temple and his parents had accepted the union. On Friday, the day when they allegedly committed suicide, Somnath's parents weren't at home. The relative said they had no idea why Somnath and Abantika took the extreme step. Further, the bodies have been sent for post-mortem.
Meanwhile, officials are probing how they entered campus this late
"Our security personnel informed us about the matter after they spotted the bodies near Cheena Bhavana. We will look into the matter and the authority may issue an order to find out how they had entered the campus at late night," said an official.
