Baruipur Minor Rape-Murder Case: Prime accused killed in Police encounter, BJP leaders say, "No criminal will be spared"

    08-Jul-2026 15:00:49 PM
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The prime accused in the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur was killed in a police encounter during a crime scene reconstruction in the early hours of July 8, police said. The incident comes days after the crime triggered widespread outrage, violent protests and the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the case.



According to the West Bengal Police, the accused, Pravash (also reported as Prabash) Mondal, was taken to the crime scene as part of the ongoing investigation. During the reconstruction exercise, he snatched the service firearm of a police personnel, fired a round at the police team and attempted to flee. Police retaliated, injuring him in the exchange of fire. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared dead.

Mondal was one of four persons arrested in connection with the gangrape and murder of the minor. The other accused are Ananda Sardar, Dibakar Sardar and Kabir Mollah, who was arrested from Basirhat after fleeing the area following the crime.

The victim, who had gone missing on Saturday, was found dead inside a sack in a pond in Baruipur on July 5. The post-mortem examination confirmed sexual assault and, according to police, indicated that the child was alive when she was thrown into the pond, as water was found in her lungs. A case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
 

Investigators have described the crime as pre-planned. According to the police investigation, Mondal lured the girl to a secluded location where the other accused were waiting. The accused sexually assaulted the child before placing her inside a sack and disposing of her in the pond.

Police said CCTV footage showing the victim walking with Mondal shortly before she disappeared proved to be a crucial lead in identifying and arresting the accused. The SIT is continuing its investigation to establish the complete sequence of events and gather additional evidence.

The incident had sparked widespread protests across Baruipur and neighbouring areas.
Demonstrators blocked roads and railway tracks, damaged public property and police vehicles, and clashed with security personnel. During the unrest, a local resident, Indrajit Mondal, was lynched by a mob on suspicion of involvement in the crime. Police later clarified that he was not connected to the case. More than 20 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, while authorities have identified around 200 individuals involved in vandalism and instigating the protests.

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the victim's family and directed Director General of Police Siddh Nath Gupta to submit a report within 72 hours detailing the sequence of events, including whether there was any delay in the police response after the missing complaint was lodged. He also instructed police stations across the district to strengthen measures for the safety of women and children.
 
 

The encounter has also drawn political attention. Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra questioned the police action, describing it as "jungle law" in a post on social media. Meanwhile, police have maintained that the firing was carried out in self-defence after the accused opened fire while attempting to escape.

WB BJP President Shamik Bhattacharya said, "No criminal will be spared. Before the elections, a promise was made to the women of West Bengal, 'Fear out, Trust in'. This was the Prime Minister's message. Whatever we had to say in our resolution letter and our manifesto, we have fulfilled," Bhattacharya said.

In an emotional reaction, the accused's mother, Sandhya Mondal, told the media that her son had "received the punishment for the crime he committed." She said she would neither claim his body nor attend his last rites.

Bengal Baruipur Rape Encounter