The body of a 16-year-old girl was recovered from an empty house in Purulia district, West Bengal, on Saturday morning, with her family alleging that she was killed by a minor boy she was reportedly in a relationship with and his family members. The case has been registered as an unnatural death, and police say the exact cause will be determined only after an autopsy.

How the Body Was Found

According to the family, the girl had gone missing around midnight on Friday. A search through the night yielded no result. Her body was discovered Saturday morning inside an empty house within the jurisdiction of Purulia Mufassil Police Station in Purulia town. Her headscarf was allegedly tied around her neck at the time of recovery.

Officers from Purulia Mufassil Police Station reached the scene, recovered the body, and sent it to Purulia Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Local residents gathered near the spot following news of the incident.

What the Family Alleged

The girl's brother-in-law told reporters that the family suspected foul play. 'The girl had been missing since last night. We searched throughout the night but could not find her. This morning, she was found dead,' he said.

He further alleged that the girl had been in a relationship with a local teenager and had previously visited his home for tuition, but had later refused to continue going there. 'We suspect that the girl was murdered. We have appealed to the government to ensure that she gets proper justice,' he alleged. The family has lodged a formal complaint with the police.

Police Response and Investigation

A senior officer of Purulia district police confirmed that the body had been recovered and sent for autopsy. 'A complaint has been lodged by the girl's family. The allegations made by the family are being looked into. No one has been arrested as of yet. Investigation is on,' the officer said.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are examining the family's allegations. No arrests have been made so far. The autopsy report is awaited before any conclusion on the cause of death is drawn.

A Disturbing Pattern in Purulia

This incident follows a separate and disturbing case from the same district earlier this month. A young man was arrested in Purulia on 12 September for allegedly killing his girlfriend and transporting her body in a bag on a motorcycle, reportedly riding around with the body for nearly three to four hours before being apprehended by personnel from Balarampur Police Station. The two incidents, both involving alleged violence against young women in intimate or acquaintance settings, have drawn renewed attention to law and order in the district.

Authorities are expected to act on the autopsy findings and the family's complaint as the investigation progresses.