Dumka: The frequent and prolonged stays of 21-year-old Arpita Sarkar at her maternal grandparents’ home in Kolkata have emerged as a key area of investigation following her arrest by the special task force (STF) of Kolkata police.Residents of Gwarkhol village in Barharwa said Arpita spent extended periods in Kolkata and returned home only occasionally while pursuing English (Honours) at BSK College, Barharwa.Investigators have alleged that she had been in contact with Hamim Mondal, the prime accused in the case, through social media for nearly four years. Her frequent Kolkata visits have raised suspicion that the two may also have met in person. Officials, however, have not confirmed any such meetings or disclosed where and when they may have taken place.Villagers said Arpita began dividing her time between Barharwa and Kolkata after her mother, an anganwadi sevika, died around five years ago. They also claimed that she had undergone martial arts training.“She stayed in Kolkata for long periods and was seen in the village only occasionally before leaving again,” a neighbour said, adding that residents never suspected she could come under the scanner in such a serious investigation.Another villager described Arpita as reserved and short-tempered. “She hardly interacted with people here. Most of us knew little about her personal life as she spent much of her time in Kolkata,” the villager said.The STF is now examining whether her prolonged stays in Kolkata facilitated an offline association with Mondal besides their alleged social media contact.
