Bengal: Key accused in Baruipur minor rape-murder killed in police encounter

The accused, identified as Prabash Mondal, was among three people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of the girl, whose body was found stuffed inside a sack in a pond in Baruipur earlier this week, triggering widespread outrage and violent protests in the area.

In Short

• Deceased allegedly snatched policeman's firearm, fired at cops in an attempt to flee
• He was the key accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl in Bengal's Baruipur
• CM Suvendu Adhikari seeks police report within 72 hours, assures justice

The main accused in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur was killed in a police encounter early Tuesday after allegedly snatching a policeman's firearm and opening fire during a crime scene reconstruction, officials said.

The accused, identified as Prabash Mondal, was among three people arrested in connection with the rape and murder of the girl, whose body was found stuffed inside a sack in a pond in Baruipur earlier this week, triggering widespread outrage and violent protests in the area.

According to police, a team from Baruipur Police Station left the station at around 12.45 am with Mondal to reconstruct the sequence of events at Surjyapur, where the victim's body was recovered.

Police said that shortly before the reconstruction began, Mondal grabbed the service weapon of a police personnel, fired one round at the police team and attempted to flee.

The police team retaliated by opening fire, injuring him. He was rushed to Baruipur Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The victim had gone missing before her body was recovered on July 5. The discovery of her body inside a sack in a pond sparked anger among local residents, who accused authorities of failing to act swiftly and demanded immediate arrests.

Enraged locals staged protests by blocking the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, setting tyres on fire and vandalising police vehicles.

The case took another dramatic turn when a man identified as Indrajit Mondal was lynched by an angry mob that suspected him of being involved in the crime.

Hours after the girl's body was recovered, the mob attacked and killed Indrajit Mondal.

Police later said he was not involved in the rape-murder case.

Police have since arrested three people in connection with the lynching and constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed probe into the rape-murder case.

CM SEEKS POLICE REPORT WITHIN 72 HOURS

Amid mounting public anger, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday directed Director General of Police Sidd Nath Gupta to submit a report on the case within 72 hours and said strict action would be taken if any negligence was found in the investigation.

The chief minister met the victim's family and reviewed the progress of the investigation amid growing political and public scrutiny over the case.

"The entire matter has been examined. I have conducted a primary analysis. I asked the DGP to submit a report within 72 hours. We will take strict action accordingly. If there is any negligence on the time taken after the complaint was lodged, even if it is one per cent, action will be taken," Adhikari told reporters after meeting the victim's family at the South 24 Parganas Superintendent of Police's office.

He said that, based on the police investigation so far, Indrajit Mondal, who was killed in the mob attack, was innocent and assured that his family would receive justice.

He said around 200 people involved in vandalising public property, damaging police vehicles and railway tracks during the protests had been identified and would be arrested.

Those involved in the lynching of Indrajit Mondal would face murder charges, he added.

The chief minister also said the victim's family had requested the establishment of a police outpost at Surjyapur, which he promised to inaugurate during his next visit to Baruipur.

He added that the family had sought compensation and other assistance, which would be announced after he meets both affected families again within a week.

Adhikari also claimed that people linked to opposition parties and "radical and anti-national forces" had instigated the violence, saying investigators had collected evidence, including call recordings, against those responsible.

Later in the day, Adhikari visited police personnel injured during the violence and assured them of all possible support from the state administration.

Family members of both the deceased girl and Indrajit Mondal said they were satisfied with the chief minister's assurances and commitment to ensure justice.

- Ends