RG Kar rape-murder convict’s 11-year-old niece found hanging in Kolkata home; Police probe suicide a
Kolkata: Mystery surrounds the death of an 11-year-old girl, the niece of RG Kar rape and murder convict Sanjay Roy, who was found hanging inside a cupboard at her residence in Kolkata’s Alipore area on Sunday evening. She succumbed to her injuries the following day at SSKM Hospital.
According to police sources, the Class 6 student was discovered unconscious inside a cupboard at a house in Vidyasagar Colony under Alipore Police Station limits. She was rushed to SSKM Hospital but passed away on Monday.
A senior Kolkata Police officer said, “All aspects are being investigated. The real cause of death will be known after the autopsy report is received. A case of unnatural death has been registered.”
Preliminary investigation revealed that no one was at home when the incident occurred. The child’s mother, who was Sanjay Roy’s sister, had reportedly died by suicide a few years ago. Following her death, the girl’s father married his sister-in-law.
The minor had been living with her aunt, who was out purchasing firecrackers when the tragedy occurred. Upon returning home, the aunt reportedly found the house locked from inside. After breaking open the door, she discovered the child hanging in an unconscious state inside a cupboard.
Neighbours informed the police that frequent quarrels were common in the household. The girl’s paternal grandmother expressed anguish, alleging that the child had been under mental distress due to constant scolding from her father and aunt. “They never allowed me to visit. Can an 11-year-old really hang herself?” she questioned.
Police are not ruling out foul play, though initial findings point toward suicide. The body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and no formal complaint has been lodged by the family so far.
Sanjay Roy, the girl’s maternal uncle, was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment last year for the rape and murder of a postgraduate trainee doctor at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He is currently lodged at Presidency Correctional Home.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
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India proposes preferential trade agreement with Mexico to deal with high tariffs
New Delhi (PTI): India has proposed a preferential trade agreement (PTA) with Mexico to help domestic exporters deal with the steep tariffs announced by the South American country, a top government official said on Monday.
Mexico has decided to impose steep import tariffs - ranging from about 5 per cent to as high as 50 per cent on a wide range of goods (about 1,463 tariff lines) from countries that do not have free trade agreements with Mexico, including India, China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal said that India has engaged with the country on the issue.
"Technical level talks are on...The only fast way forward is to try to get a preferential trade agreement (PTA) because an FTA (free trade agreement) will take a lot of time. So we are trying to see what can be a good way forward," he told reporters here.
While in an FTA two trading partners either significantly reduce or eliminate import duties on maximum number of goods traded between them, in a PTA, duties are cut or removed on a limited number of products.
Trading partners of Mexico cannot file a compliant against the decision on imposing high tariffs as they are WTO (World Trade Organisation) compatible.
The duties are within their bound rates, he said, adding that their primary target was not India.
"We have proposed a PTA because its a WTO-compatible way forward... we can do a PTA and try to get concessions that are required for Indian supply chains and similarly offer them concessions where they have export interests in India," Agrawal said.
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Citing support for local production and correction of trade imbalances, Mexico has approved an increase in MFN (most favoured nation) import tariffs (5-50 per cent) with effect from January 1, 2026 on 1,455 tariff lines (or product categories) within the WTO framework, targeting non-FTA partners.
Preliminary estimates suggest that this affects India's around USD 2 billion exports to Mexico particularly -- automobile, two-wheelers, auto parts, textiles, iron and steel, plastics, leather and footwear.
The measure is also aimed at curbing Chinese imports.
India-Mexico merchandise trade totalled USD 8.74 billion in 2024, with exports USD 5.73 billion, imports USD 3.01 billion, and a trade surplus of USD 2.72 billion.
The government has been continuously and comprehensively assessing Mexico's tariff revisions since the issue emerged, engaging stakeholders, safeguarding the interests of Indian exporters, and pursuing constructive dialogue to ensure a stable trade environment benefiting businesses and consumers in both countries.
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Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) Director General Ajay Sahai has said that Mexico's decision is a matter of concern, particularly for sectors like automobiles and auto components, machinery, electrical and electronics, organic chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and plastics.
"Such steep duties will erode our competitiveness and risk, disrupting supply chains that have taken years to develop," Sahai said, adding that this development also underlines the little urgency for India and Mexico to fast-track a comprehensive trade agreement.
Domestic auto component manufacturers will face enhanced cost pressures with Mexico hiking duties on Indian imports, according to industry body ACMA.
