Minor survivor in Tangra mass murders awaits guardian a month after the tragedy

14-year-old boy orphaned in triple murder case in Kolkata, awaits decision on foster care placement with unrelated volunteers.

The 14-year-old boy, who survived a car ‘accident’ that led to the revelation of a triple murder in a family in Kolkata’s Tangra area, finds himself living in a hospital for the past one month, with no one from his extended family coming forward to take his custody. However, some unrelated people have reportedly volunteered to take him in.

The minor has been in hospital since the triple murder came to light on February 18 when his mother, aunt, and cousin were found murdered at their residence. Within hours, the boy was injured in a car crash along with his father and uncle, both of whom have now become prime suspects in the case. His uncle was arrested on March 3.

According to officials closely following the case, while the boy’s grandparents died long back, the recent developments have left him without any close family support. He is still at the NRS Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata along with his father, who is also recovering from the injuries sustained during the car crash. According to sources, the boy has almost recovered but refuses to leave his father’s side.

West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) adviser Ananya Chakraborty told The Hindu that the last time she met the boy, he wanted to be with his deceased aunt’s parents, who “treated him like their own grandson”. “But they are old and ailing. They have themselves lost their daughter and granddaughter in the tragedy. It might be very difficult for them to take care of the boy now,” Ms. Chakraborty added.

Even though some families have shown interest in fostering the boy, the final decision in the matter has to be taken by the minor himself and his father, officials said.

Mahua Sur Roy, Child Welfare Committee (CWC) chairperson, has clarified that they will only be able to take a decision on the child’s future residence after his father is discharged from hospital.

“No matter what his father has done, he is still the only living guardian that the boy has. So, once both the minor and his father agree on where the boy should live, we can work out a plan. We have the boy’s best interest in mind. But he is not a newborn baby that we can take decisions on his behalf. His say is very important,” Ms. Roy said.