Police Say Accused Tried to Snatch Weapon, Opened Fire While Recreating Crime Scene
One of the principal accused in the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in West Bengal’s Baruipur died in a police encounter late Tuesday after allegedly attempting to escape during the reconstruction of the crime scene.
According to police, the accused, identified as Prabhash Mondal, was taken to the location as part of the investigation when he allegedly tried to seize a firearm from police personnel and opened fire while attempting to flee. Officers retaliated, leaving him critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
A senior police official said the encounter occurred while investigators were recreating the sequence of events related to the crime as part of the ongoing probe.
Three Arrested in Minor Girl’s Murder Case
Prabhash Mondal was among the three individuals arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of the minor, whose body was recovered from a pond after being stuffed inside a sack. The two other accused, Ananda Sardar and Dibakar Sardar, remain in police custody as the investigation continues.
The incident has triggered widespread public outrage across Baruipur and neighbouring areas, with residents demanding swift justice for the victim.
Mahua Moitra Questions Police Encounter
Reacting to the encounter, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra criticised the police action and questioned the circumstances surrounding the accused’s death.
In a post on social media platform X, she wrote, “Baruipur rape murder accused Prabhash Mondal killed in encounter! What is going on @WBPolice? Bengalis, please welcome new Bengal-Uttar Pradesh 2.0. BJP4Bengal is no government. This is jungle law.”
Violent Protests Rocked Baruipur
The alleged rape and murder of the minor had sparked large-scale protests across Baruipur earlier this week. Demonstrators blocked railway tracks, damaged police vehicles and clashed with security personnel in anger over the crime.
Police have arrested around 20 people for their alleged involvement in the violence. Authorities also stated that an innocent man, Indrajit Mondal, was allegedly lynched by a mob after being mistakenly suspected of involvement in the case.
Investigators continue to probe both the murder case and the subsequent violence, while security has been strengthened in the area to prevent any further unrest.
