Kolkata:
A day after 16-year-old Rajib Das died while saving his sister from molesters, Kolkata is seething in anger. His inconsolable family has been asking only one question: Did Rajib deserve to die?
The Kolkata Police have arrested one of the men who stabbed Rajib to death.
Rajib's extra income, earned as a part time electrician, was a source of great support for his father Tapan, a key maker at this Kolkata suburb.
Just days before his death, Rajib had told his father he wanted to start working full time after his exams, to supplement the family income.
"He was very good at electrical things, he repaired them perfectly. He told me he wanted to start off on full time work; I had hoped he could study at the same time too," Mr Das said.
After much outrage, the state government has handed over investigations to the CID.
On Monday night, Rajib Das was stabbed in the Kolkata suburb of Barasat, as he tried to stop his sister from getting molested by three drunk men. Rajib's sister Rinku was harassed close to the bungalows of top officials including the District Magistrate, but all guards in the vicinity ignored her pleas for help.
As grief turns into anger, many are now demanding strict action as they remember a friend always willing to lend a helping hand.
"He was a nice boy, did not speak much, but would help out," said one of the residents.
The Chief Minister visited the grieving family, but was met with angry protests along the way. In election season, Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress has vowed to take up the issue, even planning a series of protests on it.
But for the family, it's of little consolation.
The only consolation for family and friends of Rajib can now come if swift action is taken against not only those who killed him, but also against the cops who refused to help in a time of crisis.