In a significant development concerning the horrific rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, the primary suspect, Prabhas Mandal, has been killed during a police encounter. Officials reported that the suspect was taken to the crime scene at approximately 12:45 AM to reconstruct the sequence of events. While at the location, Prabhas Mandal reportedly snatched a service weapon from a police officer and attempted to escape. This led to a confrontation in which police opened fire. Although he was transported to a hospital in critical condition, he was later pronounced dead by medical staff.
Details of the encounter
Law enforcement officials stated that the motive behind transporting the accused to the scene was to facilitate a crime scene reconstruction. During this process, Mandal allegedly seized a weapon from the police team and initiated an escape attempt. He also reportedly fired at the police team, forcing the officers to retaliate in self-defense. The injuries sustained during this exchange ultimately led to his death.
Background of the case
The incident gained public attention on Sunday when the body of a minor girl was discovered inside a sack in the Surjapur Hat area of Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. The discovery triggered widespread local unrest, with protesters blocking the Baruipur-Jaynagar route, burning tires, and vandalizing several vehicles. An angry mob had previously lynched another individual suspected of involvement in the girl's death. According to police, Prabhas Mandal was one of the prime suspects and was identified in CCTV footage alongside the victim shortly before the crime took place.
Chief Minister's intervention
Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, visited Baruipur on Tuesday to meet with the victim's parents. He assured the family that the government would ensure strict action is taken against all perpetrators. To oversee the investigation, the state government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT).
Mother's refusal
The mother of the accused, Prabhas Mandal, has explicitly refused to claim her son's body. She recounted that when police arrived to inform her of his death, she told them that she did not wish to see him. Expressing deep emotional distress, she remarked that she lacked the strength to view the body and added that he had received the punishment he deserved for his actions, which brought her a sense of peace. She noted that he never listened to his parents and spent his days in a state of constant intoxication. She confirmed there were no other family members available to take the body and reiterated her decision to refuse custody.
