In a shocking incident that has sent shockwaves through Guwahati, a doctor couple has been arrested for allegedly keeping twin siblings captive in their home and subjecting them to months of abuse. Dr Waliul Islam, a surgeon, and Dr Sangeeta Datta, a psychiatrist, along with their domestic help, have been taken into custody by the police. The couple has been charged under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. The arrest came after authorities discovered injury marks on one of the girls, indicating severe physical abuse. The medical examination revealed that the child’s private parts had been burned with cigarettes, further highlighting the brutality she had endured. The minor girl, only three years old, was confined to the fourth floor of the couple’s residence in Roma Enclave.
The Guwahati Commissioner of Police, Diganta Barah, confirmed the arrests and shared that the accused had appeared before the chief judicial magistrate’s court. The couple was remanded to police custody for five days, while their maid, Lakshmi Nath, was sent to seven-day judicial custody. The involvement of the POCSO Act underscores the gravity of the charges against them. The case is currently under investigation, with Assam’s Director General of Police (DGP) and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma personally overseeing the proceedings. Authorities are also diligently searching for the parents of the twin siblings to determine how they became entrapped in the couple’s house. Prior to the arrests, children’s rights activist Miguel Das Queah had raised suspicions about the accused couple.
Informants had previously informed Das that one of the children was tied to a pole on the terrace in scorching heat. However, it was only in March that one of the informants finally approached the police to report the incident, leading to the initiation of the case. The shocking nature of this crime has sparked outrage and concern among the local community, prompting a demand for swift justice for the traumatized twin siblings. As the investigation continues, authorities remain committed to uncovering the full truth and ensuring the safety and well-being of the children involved.