 "Bengal: Baruipur minor rape-murder accused killed in police encounter: Report")
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The main accused in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, was shot dead by police early Tuesday after he snatched a policeman’s firearm and opened fire while being taken to the crime scene for reconstruction, reported India Today citing officials.
According to police, the investigating officer from Baruipur Police Station, along with a team of officers, left the station around 12:45 am with the accused, Prabash Mondal, to reconstruct the crime at Surjyapur, where the girl’s body was found.
Just before the reconstruction could begin, Mondal snatched a police officer’s service weapon, fired a round at the police team, and tried to escape. Police retaliated by opening fire, injuring him. He was immediately rushed to Baruipur Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.
Prabash Mondal was one of three accused arrested in the case. The body of the minor girl, who had gone missing on July 4, was found stuffed in a sack in a pond in Baruipur. The discovery triggered angry protests by locals, who blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, set tyres on fire, and vandalised police vehicles while demanding swift action against those responsible.
Hours after the girl’s body was found, an angry mob lynched a man identified as Indrajit Mondal, whom they suspected of involvement in the crime. Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the case and formed a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a thorough probe.
CM Suvendu Adhikari orders a police report within 72 hours
Amid rising public outrage, West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday directed the Director General of Police, Sidd Nath Gupta, to submit a detailed report on the case within 72 hours. He warned that strict action would be taken if any negligence was found in the investigation.
The chief minister also said that Indrajit Mondal, who was killed by the mob, was innocent according to police findings and assured that his family would receive justice.
He added that around 200 people identified for vandalising public property, damaging police vehicles, and disrupting railway tracks during the protests would be arrested. Those involved in the lynching of the innocent man would be charged with murder, he said.
The Chief Minister also stated that the victim’s family had requested the setting up of a police outpost at Surjyapur, which he promised to inaugurate during his next visit to Baruipur. He further mentioned that the family had sought compensation and other support, which would be finalised after he meets both affected families again within a week.
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