The police encounter involving Prabhash Mandal, the primary accused in the 12-year-old girl's rape and murder case in Baruipur, West Bengal, has sparked significant scrutiny. Following the death of the 38-year-old accused, the released post-mortem report has shed light on the specifics of the incident, confirming that he was struck by two bullets fired from close range while allegedly attempting to flee.
Details from the post-mortem report
A medical board conducted the examination, which clarified that no bullet or bullet fragment remained inside the body of Prabhash Mandal. The report indicates that both shots entered through his back and exited through the front. Specifically, one bullet pierced his right lung, while the second exited near his right kidney. These findings confirm that the police gunfire directly impacted vital internal organs.
Sequence of events
The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday while police were escorting the accused to Surjapur to reconstruct the crime scene. According to the police, Mandal snatched a weapon from an officer and opened fire, leading to a retaliation. Sub-Inspector Arghya Mandal fired back, resulting in fatal injuries to the accused. The police claim that the encounter occurred while they were transporting him to analyze the site of the crime.
Ongoing investigation
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has officially taken charge of investigating the circumstances surrounding the encounter. This investigation will run parallel to the ongoing judicial proceedings already initiated in the case. A formal FIR regarding the shooting has been lodged at the Baruipur Police Station. Adhering to the guidelines set by the NHRC, the inquiry is being led by a senior officer who was not involved in the actual shootout.
The CID investigation is tasked with determining whether the use of lethal force was strictly necessary for self-defense. All six police personnel who accompanied Mandal to the location must appear before the CID team to record their statements. At present, no member of the encounter team has been placed under temporary suspension.
Case background
The tragic case dates back to July 5, when the body of a 12-year-old minor was recovered from a pond in Baruipur, located in the South 24 Parganas district. Forensic investigations indicated that the victim was raped before being murdered and discarded in the pond. Evidence suggested that the girl was still breathing when she was thrown into the water. Four individuals were named as suspects in this case, with Prabhash Mandal being identified as the primary perpetrator.
Notably, the family of Prabhash Mandal has refused to claim his body, stating that given the severity of the crimes he committed, the outcome was justified. The legal accountability for the police action now rests on the findings of the CID's comprehensive probe.
