Kolkata, Sep 3: Tension prevailed in the Gaighata area of West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district after the body of a 13-year-old schoolgirl was found hanging at her home, police said on Saturday. The family has alleged that the minor was raped and blackmailed by a 32-year-old local youth, and claimed that she may have taken the extreme step due to mental distress.

The Class 8 student was found hanging by her family members on Friday night. Police reached the spot after being informed, recovered the body, and sent it to the hospital for an autopsy. Police said the exact cause of her death is being investigated.

According to the family, the girl had allegedly been in contact with the 32-year-old youth for about a year. They alleged that a few months ago, the youth called her to his house, where his mother allegedly took the girl into a room and locked the door from outside. The family further alleged that the youth sexually assaulted the minor inside the room.

The family also accused the youth of blackmailing the girl with objectionable photographs and videos. The girl’s mother alleged that the accused used the material to intimidate her daughter and force her to meet him. She claimed that the girl was sometimes called away on the pretext of going to school or for other reasons, and was threatened with the circulation of the photographs and videos if she refused.

The girl’s father said the family initially did not know about her contact with the youth. After learning about it, he warned his daughter against maintaining the relationship. However, he alleged that the youth continued to meet her and even threatened to attack her with acid.

The family has also alleged that the girl was forcibly made to wear conch shell bangles and vermilion at the youth’s house. They claimed that she did not consent to the alleged marriage and was later brought back home by her mother.

Following the girl’s death, the family submitted a written complaint at Gaighata police station and demanded strict punishment against the accused. Police said they have launched an investigation based on the complaint.

No arrest has been reported so far. Police said the allegations, circumstances surrounding the girl’s death and the other claims made by the family are being examined as part of the investigation.

Dhar, Oct 3: Three members of a family were killed and an 11-year-old girl was seriously injured after a speeding trailer truck ran over their motorcycle in Dhar district of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday morning, police said.

The accident occurred early morning near Pitgara intersection on the Lebad-Nayagaon four-lane highway when Rahul (35), his wife Pooja (30) and their two daughters were travelling from Bada Kathodiya village to their farm in Kherwas for garlic sowing.

The trailer, coming from the Petlawad side, allegedly hit the motorcycle and ran over the family, according to police.

Rahul, Pooja and their 13-year-old daughter Suman died on the spot, while their other daughter Shivani sustained serious injuries and was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

Following the accident, family members of the victims and villagers gathered at the spot and staged a sit-in protest on the four-lane highway, demanding action against the truck driver and safety measures at the intersection.

The protest brought traffic on the highway to a standstill for nearly two-and-a-half hours, resulting in a traffic jam stretching around two kilometres on both sides.

Several passenger buses and school vehicles were also stranded.

SDM Priyanka Mimrot, Tehsildar Suresh Nagar, SDOP Arvind Singh Tomar and Badnawar police station in-charge Amit Singh Kushwaha reached the spot and held talks with the protesters.

“The administration has assured the villagers that strict action will be taken against the trailer driver and necessary safety measures will be ensured at the spot,” SDM Mimrot said.

The protesters withdrew the blockade after receiving assurances from the officials that safety measures would be implemented at the site.

“The road was cleared after discussions with the family and villagers. Action will be taken according to law against those found responsible for the accident,” an official said.

Police have started an investigation into the accident and are taking further action.

New Delhi, Oct 3: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Saturday said he highlighted India’s growing strengths as a global hub for talent, innovation and business services, and the potential for deeper India-US business partnerships.

During his US visit, the minister met several global leaders and CEOs.

“Met Greg Case, CEO of Aon, and discussed the company’s operations in India and the opportunities for further expansion,” Goyal posted on social media platform X.

He also met Paul Grewal, Chief Legal and Global Affairs Officer at Cognition, and exchanged views on leveraging Cognition’s pioneering AI solutions and deepening its presence in India.

“Highlighted how India’s rich engineering ecosystem and dynamic startup culture provide a strong launchpad for building and deploying next-generation technologies for the world,” said Goyal.

During an engaging interaction with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) leadership and members from Chicago, Michigan, and Ohio Chapters, the minister discussed the expanding opportunities in the India-US economic partnership and “highlighted how India’s economic momentum, marked by record FDI inflows and strong GDP growth, reflects PM Narendra Modi’s vision of a confident, self-reliant and globally competitive India”.

“Chartered Accountants have a pivotal role in strengthening this partnership by helping businesses navigate cross-border taxation, regulatory compliance and financial governance, while making Indian enterprises investment-ready for global capital,” the minister noted.

Goyal also delivered the keynote address at the USIBC Roundtable in Chicago.

“Discussed venture investment, commercialisation, and corporate partnerships to help Indian and US startups scale across markets. Explored opportunities to deepen India–US innovation linkages and foster the next generation of high-growth enterprises,” Goyal said.

He met Juan Ricardo Luciano, Chair of the Board and CEO of Archer Daniels Midland (ADM).

They discussed avenues to expand ADM’s presence and investment opportunities in India.

“With our rapidly expanding food processing sector, modernising agricultural value chains, and massive consumer base, India offers tremendous potential for sustainable growth and long-term collaboration,” said Goyal.