On August 21, 2021, Nandita Saikia, a 20-year-old college student in Assam, was attacked and fatally injured by Rintu Sharma, a college library employee who had an obsessive one-sided love for her. After refusing his marriage proposal and her parents' rejection of the alliance, Rintu planned and executed a violent attack near the college after her exam, injuring Nandita and two others. Nandita died four days later from her injuries. Rintu was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death in 2025.
Country: India
State/Province: Assam, India
City/Region: Dimaji
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Unknown
Relationship Duration:
Incident Date: Aug. 21, 2021
Primary reported outcome: Homicide
Reported self-harm outcome: No suicide or attempt reported
Reported sequence: Order not reported / unclear
Additional victims reported: 2
Additional victim events:
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
2021-08-21
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
Nnight Files Podcast - India · Original language: English
Murder of Nandita Saikia in Assam
Jealousy
The case involves a one-sided obsessive love by Rintu Sharma towards Nandita Saikia, who rejected his marriage proposal. This rejection, combined with family refusal and perceived humiliation, led to escalating stalking, harassment, and ultimately a violent attack resulting in murder. The pattern reflects jealousy and control dynamics culminating in lethal violence.
Police arrested Rintu Sharma immediately at the scene. He confessed to the attack citing revenge for rejection. The case was tried in Reimaji District and Sessions Court, which sentenced Rintu to death under IPC Section 302 in 2025. Additional sentences were given for attempted murder of Kashmina and Devadatta. Postmortem and forensic evidence supported the charges.
No significant confusion reported; suspect was apprehended at the scene and confessed. The motive and relationship were clearly established.
Nandita attended her exam and was accompanied by her friend Kashmina and Kashmina's father Devadatta. Rintu Sharma, a college employee with obsessive feelings for Nandita, followed them after the exam. He attacked Devadatta first to incapacitate him, then injured Kashmina, and finally fatally wounded Nandita. The attack was witnessed by bystanders and police arrived promptly. Rintu was arrested and confessed. Nandita succumbed to her injuries four days later.
High risk due to obsessive behavior, repeated harassment, threats, and escalation to lethal violence. The suspect's prior attempts to force marriage and stalking were clear warning signs.
One-sided obsessive love can escalate to lethal violence when combined with rejection and family refusal. Early signs such as stalking, repeated harassment, and threats should be taken seriously. Immediate intervention and protective measures are critical to prevent escalation.
Repeated unwanted calls and messages from Rintu, his stalking behavior on campus, and pressure to marry despite rejection were key early signals.
Rintu's presence near the college, his prior attempts to contact and pressure Nandita, and his attack on her family members to isolate her were critical clues.
Confession by Rintu, eyewitness accounts, injuries consistent with weapon attack, and forensic examination supported the case.
Witnesses included Kashmina, Devadatta, bystanders, and police ASI Anil Sharma who arrived at the scene. They reported the attack and identified Rintu as the assailant.
Follow-up reports confirmed the arrest, confession, trial, and sentencing. No contradictory information emerged.
No major unresolved questions remain; motive, perpetrator, and sequence are clear.