Kolkata, Dec 29 (NationPress) A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the unexplained death of a female home guard in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal, while the police officer implicated in the case has been suspended from duty.

Authorities announced on Monday that a murder investigation has been opened against sub-inspector Sayan Bhattacharya of the Canning Police Station, following accusations from the deceased's family suggesting his involvement in the woman's death. The lifeless body of the home guard, known as Reshmi Molla, was found within police residential quarters in Canning last Saturday.

Reshmi, also referred to as Guljan Parveen Molla, was discovered hanging from the ceiling inside a room at the police quarters. She hailed from the Uttar Moukhali area under the jurisdiction of the Jibantala Police Station in Canning Block II.

In the wake of this event, the implicated sub-inspector has gone missing, prompting police to initiate a manhunt.

“An investigation against the officer has been launched based on a murder complaint from the family of the home guard. The police are conducting a thorough search for him as he has become untraceable. A six-member SIT has been established, with the Additional Superintendent of Police of Baruipur Police District, Rupantar Sengupta, leading the investigation,” a police spokesperson stated.

Authorities believe that Sayan Bhattacharya may have gone into hiding shortly after the news of Reshmi Molla’s mysterious death broke.

The victim’s family claims that Reshmi was involved in an extramarital affair with the sub-inspector, and they allege she was murdered once the affair became known. Following their complaint, the Baruipur police filed murder charges against the officer and commenced an investigation.

According to police reports, Reshmi returned to the quarters behind the Canning police station after finishing her shift on Friday. However, her family was unable to reach her afterward. Despite numerous attempts to contact her throughout Saturday, they received no response.

The family eventually went to the Canning Police Station. Reshmi’s sister, Ruksana Khatun, checked the police quarters and discovered Reshmi’s body hanging from the ceiling, with a scarf around her neck. Her screams alerted others, including police, who rushed to the scene.

The Canning police transported her to Canning Sub-Divisional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The body has since been sent for a post-mortem examination.

Notably, Reshmi’s father, Rashid Molla, was murdered in the Bhangar area of South 24 Parganas during the local panchayat elections two years ago. In the aftermath of his death, the family’s eldest daughter was appointed as a home guard.