Why West Bengal’s Baruipur is on the boil over the rape and murder of a minor? | Explained
The story so far: On Sunday (July 5, 2026) the body of 12 -year-old girl was fished out from a pond in Baruipur in West
The story so far: On Sunday (July 5, 2026) the body of 12 -year-old girl was fished out from a pond in Baruipur in West Bengal. The girl had gone missing on Saturday (July 4, 2026) and the family had filed a police complaint. After the body was recovered, violence erupted in the area. An angry mob attacked police personnel, vandalised police vehicles, blocked roads and railway tracks. A person was also lynched by a mob. What measures were taken by the administration? By Wednesday (July 8, 2026), the police arrested four persons in connection with the crime. Those arrested were identified as Prabhas Mandal, Anand Sardar and Dibakar Sardar and Kabir Mollah. Preliminary investigation suggested that Prabhas Mondal had abducted the girl and the accused sexually assaulted her before throwing her in a pond. A CCTV footage where Prabhas Mondal is seen with the victim has also surfaced. The preliminary post-mortem report suggested sexual assault and subsequent death due to drowning, suggesting that the child was alive when she was thrown in the pond. Prabhas Mondal was shot dead in the early hours of Wednesday (July 8, 2026) in what the police said was an encounter. According to the police, Prabhas Mondal was taken to the scene of crime at Suryapur in Baruipur to recreate the series of event, when he snatched a firearm and shot at the police personnel present at the spot.
He was shot in retaliatory firing and succumbed to injuries at Baruipur State General Hospital. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has not only assured justice for the family members of the victim but also added that those who had indulged in mob violence will have to suffer. The accused in sexual assault and murder of the girl have been booked under section 63 (rape), 70 (2) (gangrape), 103 (1) (murder), and 238 (deliberately tampering with evidence) of BNS and the necessary sections of Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of BNSS have been imposed across areas under three police stations, including Baruipur, Narayanpur, and Sonarpur, to prevent any gatherings. Four FIRs were registered, including one in the rape and murder of the minor. The other FIRs relate to mob violence, attack on police personnel and blocking roads and railway tracks. Communal angle behind mob violence says CM Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said that attempts were made to give communal colour to the incident. Mr. Suvendhu also commented that the protests reminded him of the earlier instances of mob violence during the Trinamool Congress rule, such as those that unfolded over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. He also added that the man who was lynched by the mob was innocent. Amidst allegations that the police did not act in time, the Chief Minister on Tuesday (July 7, 2026) asked the State’s Director General of Police, to submit a report within 72 hours.
The BriefWire