The main suspect in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, was killed by police gunfire early Tuesday. Officials reported that the man seized an officer’s weapon and fired at the team while being taken to the site for evidence reconstruction.
Police stated that officers from Baruipur station departed around 12:45 a.m. with the accused, Prabash Mondal, to review events at Surjyapur where the victim’s body had been found. Just before the process started, Mondal took a service pistol, shot once toward the officers, and tried to escape. Police returned fire, wounding him. He was taken to Baruipur Hospital and pronounced dead.
The victim had disappeared on July 4. Her body was found the next day inside a sack in the Surjyapur Haat area, sparking local unrest. Protesters blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burned tires, and damaged police vehicles while calling for swift arrests.
An angry crowd later lynched a man named Indrajit Mondal, whom they suspected of involvement. Authorities have arrested three people and formed a six-member special investigation team.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari ordered the Director General of Police to deliver a report within 72 hours and warned of strict measures for any investigative lapses. He stated that Indrajit Mondal was innocent according to police findings and promised justice for his family.
Adhikari noted that about 200 individuals involved in damaging public property, police vehicles, and railway tracks had been identified for arrest. Those responsible for the lynching would face murder charges.
The victim’s family asked for a police outpost at Surjyapur, which the chief minister agreed to open on his next visit. Compensation requests would be addressed after further meetings. Adhikari also claimed evidence showed links between some protesters and opposition or radical groups. He later visited injured officers to offer support. Both families expressed satisfaction with the assurances given.
