An accused in the Baruipur simple rape and murder case was shot dead by police in West Bengal after he tried to snatch a firearm and flee while reconstructing the crime scene on Tuesday, officials said.
The accused, identified as Prabhas Mondal, was arrested by the police to reconstruct the events related to the case when the incident occurred.
According to local police, Mondal allegedly attempted to snatch a service weapon from a police officer and attempted to escape custody. The police then opened fire, wounding him.
He was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead, officials said.
The case relates to the death of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal. The girl’s body was recovered from Surjapur Hatt on Sunday, a day after she was reported missing.
The incident sparked protests in the area, with residents demanding the arrest of those responsible. Later, the police arrested three accused in connection with the case.
Investigators suspect that one of the defendants took the minor to a hut where two other defendants were present before the incident occurred.
The three arrested men are being interrogated as investigators seek to determine the sequence of events through witness statements, evidence collected from the site and scientific examination, police said.
A report by news agency PTI said initial post-mortem findings indicated that the victim drowned while she was still alive, although police said the final cause and circumstances of death would be determined only after forensic reports are received and the viscera are examined. Investigators are also examining injuries noted in preliminary medical findings.
CM holds a meeting with Baruipur SP
Immediately after the incident came to light, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari held a virtual meeting with police officials across the state, including officers in charge of all police stations, and stressed the need for strict adherence to the law and established procedures, HT reported earlier.
“I held a virtual meeting with all the regulatory committees in the state. I told them that such incidents should be prevented and that they should follow the law, proper guidelines and directives,” he said.
The Prime Minister also requested a report on the police response after the girl’s family contacted the authorities. “The girl’s parents filed a complaint about her disappearance with Baruipur police station at 11.50 pm on Saturday, hours after she went missing. I have asked the state director general of police to send me a report within 72 hours. If we find even 1 percent negligence on the part of police officials after filing the complaint, strong action will be taken,” Adhikari said.
