The West Bengal Police on Sunday (August 31, 2025) arrested Deshraj Singh, the prime accused in the murder of 18-year-old Ishita Mallick, who was shot dead in broad daylight at her home in Manikpara, Krishnanagar city.
Mr. Singh, who is roughly 21 years old, was produced in court on Monday (September 1, 2025).
“Deshraj was arrested yesterday from the Maharajganj district in Uttar Pradesh. A few days back, his maternal uncle, Kuldeep Singh, was arrested in Gujarat’s Jamnagar. He turned out to be a big lead in Deshraj’s arrest,” Makwana Meetkumar Sanjaykumar, Additional Superintendent of Krishnanagar District Police, told The Hindu on Monday.
He added that Deshraj was attempting to cross the Nepal border, and that his father was allegedly involved in helping him alter his identity and escape.
“The father of the accused is currently in the custody of the Border Security Force in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer. He will soon be brought to Krishnanagar. We have the warrant for his arrest,” Mr. Sanjaykumar added.
Ms. Mallick was shot in her home in front of her family on the afternoon of August 25. She was declared dead upon arrival at the Nadia district hospital.
While the details of the motive and the nature of the crime are still pending interrogation, the police said that the accused knew the victim and a relationship feud may have been one of the possible motives. Deshraj apparently knew Ms. Mallick from Kachrapara, where she used to go for her studies.
Published – September 01, 2025 10:42 pm IST
