Tripura grandfather arrested for alleged rape-murder of 16-year-old granddaughter
Synopsis
A 70-year-old man in Tripura's Sepahijala district has been arrested for allegedly raping and killing his own 16-year-old granddaughter — a Class 10 student left in his care after her father moved to Bengaluru. Chief Minister Manik Saha has personally intervened demanding the harshest punishment, as a critical post-mortem report is awaited on Monday.
Key Takeaways
Pran Ballabh Das , 70 , arrested on Saturday for allegedly raping and murdering his 16-year-old granddaughter in Chandanmura village, Sepahijala district, Tripura .
The victim's body was recovered from their residence on Friday ; she was a Class 10 student living with her grandparents.
Two individuals have been arrested so far; the case remains under active investigation.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha directed police to ensure the harshest punishment for the accused.
The post-mortem report is expected on Monday and is likely to provide further clarity on the cause of death.
The victim's father Bapi Das and local residents have demanded capital punishment for the accused.
A 70-year-old man, identified as Pran Ballabh Das, has been arrested for allegedly raping and murdering his 16-year-old granddaughter in Chandanmura village under Sonamura subdivision in Sepahijala district, Tripura, police officials confirmed on Sunday, 4 May 2025. Das was taken into custody on Saturday after the girl's body was recovered from their shared residence on Friday.
What Happened
The victim, a Class 10 student, had been residing with her grandparents in Chandanmura village. Her father, Bapi Das, works with a private security agency in Bengaluru and had remarried following the death of his wife, after which the girl moved in with her grandparents. Police, quoting neighbours, said the victim was allegedly subjected to repeated sexual abuse by her grandfather prior to her death. A formal case was registered based on a complaint filed by Bapi Das, who returned to Tripura after learning of his daughter's death.
Arrests and Investigation Status
Police confirmed that two individuals have been arrested so far based on preliminary investigation. The post-mortem report is expected on Monday and is likely to provide further clarity on the cause of death, according to officials. The case remains under active investigation.
Chief Minister's Response
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, stated on Sunday that he had learnt about the incident in detail and directed police to take appropriate steps to ensure the harshest punishment for the accused. In a social media post, Saha said: "The incident is extremely heartrending and distressing. The police have already arrested two individuals based on the preliminary investigation." He also noted that local MLA and Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman had spoken with residents of the area on Sunday. Saha added that the administration is firmly committed to identifying all culprits through a thorough and impartial investigation.
Family and Community Demand Justice
The victim's father Bapi Das and local residents have demanded capital punishment for the accused. "We want capital punishment for the accused to send a strong message that an individual who commits such a heinous crime has no place in our society," Bapi Das said, according to reports. The demand reflects the deep anguish felt across the community over the alleged crime.
What Comes Next
The post-mortem findings due on Monday are expected to be a critical turning point in the investigation. Authorities have indicated that further action will follow based on the forensic report, and the administration has pledged a thorough and impartial probe to ensure justice for the victim.
Point of View
And the absence of a primary caregiver — here, a father working away from home in Bengaluru — can leave minors acutely exposed. The fact that neighbours reportedly knew of alleged repeated abuse, yet the matter escalated to murder, raises serious questions about community reporting mechanisms and the reach of child protection infrastructure in rural Tripura. Chief Minister Saha's swift public statement is politically notable, but the real accountability test will be whether the investigation is completed transparently and the post-mortem findings are made public without delay. Demands for capital punishment reflect community outrage, but due process must be allowed to run its full course.
NationPress
6 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been arrested in the Tripura granddaughter rape-murder case?
Pran Ballabh Das, a 70-year-old man, has been arrested for allegedly raping and killing his 16-year-old granddaughter in Chandanmura village, Sepahijala district, Tripura. A second individual has also been arrested; both were taken into custody based on preliminary investigation.
What did Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha say about the incident?
Chief Minister Manik Saha stated on Sunday that he had learnt about the incident in detail and directed police to ensure the harshest punishment for the accused. He confirmed that the administration is committed to a thorough and impartial investigation.
Why was the victim living with her grandparents?
According to police, the victim's father Bapi Das works with a private security agency in Bengaluru and had remarried after the death of his wife, following which the girl moved in with her grandparents in Chandanmura village.
When is the post-mortem report expected?
The post-mortem report is expected on Monday and is likely to provide further clarity on the cause and circumstances of the victim's death, according to police officials.
What punishment have the family and residents demanded?
The victim's father Bapi Das and local residents have demanded capital punishment for the accused, stating they want a strong message sent that perpetrators of such heinous crimes have no place in society.
