Mom Dies Of Heart Attack Day After Daughter Was Gang-Raped, Another Held Hostage

A 19-year-old woman from India's West Bengal state was allegedly abducted and gang-raped Tuesday night while her younger sister was held hostage and abused. Their mother reportedly died the next day of a heart attack after the victim was medically examined and one of the alleged assailants was arrested.

The two sisters, who were not named, were attending a wedding in their village of Habibpur in Malda when some youths from a neighboring village stalked them on their way home and dragged them away at approximately 11 p.m., The Times of India first reported, citing police.

One of the men, identified as Gopalnagar villager Sailen Soren, was arrested Wednesday night in connection to the incident, according to Malda police superintendent Alok Rajoria. Two of the five accused were identified by the elder sister.

"We have got the names of the five accused. Prime accused Shailen Soren was arrested on a complaint lodged by the victim. Search is on for the other four persons. A case under Section 376 D of IPC and POCSO Act has been registered," Rajoria was quoted by The Indian Express as saying.

Rajoria also said that the inspector-in-charge of Habibpur is leading an inquiry into the incident.

The 19-year-old survivor alleged that the men took turns raping her in front of her 16-year-old sister, according to the Indian Express report.

The younger one was able to escape from the scene and inform the villagers, which prompted a search, The Times of India reported. Village residents found the survivor behind a bush and caught one of the attackers.

It was later determined that the younger sister was not sexually assaulted.

The older sister was examined at a rural hospital, while her younger one will receive counseling, Rajoria said.

The siblings' 45-year-old mother reportedly complained of chest pain after the two were taken to the hospital. She was referred by the local hospital to Malda Medical College, but she died on her way there. Doctors believe she suffered a cardiac arrest.