One of the main accused in the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal’s Baripur was killed by police in an alleged encounter on Wednesday morning. The move came reportedly after he “snatched a firearm from a policeman and tried to escape from custody.”
Pravash Mondal, the main accused, was taken to the spot for reconstructing the crime, where he tried to snatch a firearm from the police, reports by NDTV say. He was arrested following the discovery of the lifeless body of the girl from a pond in Baruipur. Along with Mondal, two other accused who were arrested are identified as Ananda Sardar and Dibakar Sardar. They have confessed to their crimes. Another accused, Kabir Mollah, was picked up yesterday.
Pravash Mondal was killed in police self-defense, following which he was injured and was immediately taken to the Baruipur Hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.
Prabhas Mondal, the accused in the Baruipur rape and murder case, was killed in a police encounter. While the crime scene was being reconstructed, he attempted to snatch a weapon from the police and open fire at them. In retaliation, the police fired back, striking Prabhas; he was declared dead at the hospital,” the Baruipur SP said.
At least 20 people have been arrested in association with the case. They were all also involved in the lynching of an innocent man, Ndrajit Mondal, who was beaten to death on suspicion of his involvement in the rape and murder case.
They were arrested ahead of Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s meeting the families of both the girl and the man who was lynched in Baruipur, saying that 200 people had been identified for instigating violent protests.
“We have examined the entire matter. 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 percent, action will be taken,” Adhikari said following his meeting with the victim’s family.
“The youth killed in the mob lynching, Indrajit Mondal, was also innocent. This is what the police told me; these are not my words. He (Mondal) will also get justice. I have met his family members also,” he said.
