National-level volleyball player hacked to death by stalker in Bengal

Barasat: A 14-year-old national level volleyball player, was hacked to death on Friday, allegedly by her stalker in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district.

The girl, Sangita Aich alias Tina, was a class nine student and an ace sportsperson. She played twice for India and thrice at the state level in the Under-14 category, according to sources.

Sangita was playing volleyball at the nearby ground when she was stabbed with a cleaver by 18-year-old Subrata Sen alias Raja who had been allegedly stalking her for last one year.

Raja met Sangita at a playground during her practice sessions and being smitten by her, he asked her out. However she rejected his proposal outrightly. Notwithstanding the rejection, he decided to get back at her, according to reports.

Swapan Das, Sangita’s volleyball coach, tried to save her when Raja darted towards her with a cleaver in his hand. He tried to rescue her from Raja with the help of a wooden stool on which he was sitting. However, the girl got scared and started running towards her house that was at a stone’s throw distance. The coach’s efforts went in vain as Raja pushed him aside and bolted towards Sangita.

Raja strangled Sangita and hacked her several times. The crowd came to her help, but it was too late as she died on way to the hospital.

Sangita’s father, a grocery shop owner, was shocked by the untoward event and was not in the condition to speak.

According to reports, Raja has surrendered before the police and has claimed that he was forced to take such a grave step as Tina was cheating on him.

Sangita’s family said that Raja had threatened her in the past. The family had earlier filed a complaint with the police but no action was taken against him.