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Rampurhat mourns after Manoj Pal, a teacher, allegedly murdered and dismembered a 13-year-old Baramesia girl, sparking outrage over safety concerns for minors

Rampurhat mourned the murder of the 13-year-old tribal girl. (Representational image)
The town of Rampurhat in West Bengal’s Birbhum district was rocked by a horrific crime that raised questions about policing, community vigilance and the safety of minors. A 13-year-old tribal girl from Baramesia village, studying in class 7, was allegedly trapped, assaulted and murdered by her former tutor, identified as teacher Manoj Pal.
According to the bereaved family, the teacher had been pursuing the minor for months despite being married earlier and accused of relationships with multiple women. Their allegations paint a disturbing picture of harassment and manipulation. “When you grow up, I will marry you. I will not let you go anywhere,” Pal is alleged to have told the girl, according to her parents.
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Classmates too corroborated the claims, saying the teacher frequently obstructed her path while she was on her way to and from school or tuition. The family maintains that this persistent harassment pushed their daughter into distress.
Matters came to a head on August 28, when the girl left home for tuition and did not return. Her family immediately approached the police. However, they allege that their concerns were brushed aside. Officers initially suggested that the teenager may have eloped or gone to meet a boy, even though the family explicitly named the teacher as a suspect.
On September 1, police detained and interrogated Pal but released him after citing lack of evidence. It was only later, after fresh leads emerged, that he was arrested once again on Tuesday, September 16. Following sustained interrogation, he led investigators to the site where the girl’s body had been dumped.
According to police sources, the revelations were grisly. Pal allegedly murdered the girl and dismembered the body. Two sacks were recovered containing portions of the remains, though the lower half of the body is still untraced. Officials suspect that another individual may have assisted him in disposing of the remains.
The teacher’s reputation in Rampurhat, locals said, had long been questionable. Reports suggest he had earlier been caught in compromising circumstances with a maid in his rented accommodation. His estranged wife, speaking to the media, described him as “a very bad, perverted person”, claiming his obsession with multiple women destroyed their marriage six years ago.
Investigators are now examining digital storage devices, including a pendrive and hard drive seized from his possession. Police confirmed that they are probing whether Pal had links to other objectionable material or activities.
Rampurhat, India, India
September 18, 2025, 18:11 IST
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