- Child murder accused Prabash Mondal killed during police encounter.
- Police stated Mondal grabbed weapon, fired, attempting to escape.
- Girl’s body found, sparking outrage, arrests, SIT investigation.
West Bengal police on Wednesday said Prabash Mondal, one of the principal accused in the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, was killed in an encounter after allegedly attempting to escape during a crime scene reconstruction.
Encounter Took Place During Crime Scene Reconstruction
According to officials, a team from Baruipur Police Station left around 12.45 am with Mondal for Surjyapur, where the victim’s body had been recovered earlier. The reconstruction exercise was being conducted to help investigators piece together the sequence of events surrounding the alleged crime.
Police said that moments before the exercise began, Mondal allegedly grabbed a policeman’s service weapon, fired a shot at the police team and tried to flee from custody. Officers then returned fire, leaving the accused critically injured.
Police said the accused tried to “escape from custody” during the exercise. An officer added that Mondal opened fire at the police team, prompting them to respond in self-defence.
Mondal was immediately taken to Baruipur Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
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Accused Was Among Three Arrested In Brutal Child Murder Case
The accused was one of three people arrested after the body of the 12-year-old girl was found inside a sack and dumped in a pond on July 4. The shocking discovery triggered widespread outrage across Baruipur.
Residents staged protests by blocking the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burning tyres and damaging police vehicles while demanding immediate action against those responsible for the crime.
In a separate incident that unfolded hours after the body was recovered, an enraged crowd lynched a man later identified as Indrajit Mondal after suspecting him of involvement in the case.
Following the arrests, police constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to carry out a detailed probe into the incident.
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Investigation Continues As SIT Pursues Remaining Leads
Investigators had identified Prabash Mondal as a key suspect based on CCTV footage that allegedly showed him with the victim before the crime. Officials said the reconstruction exercise formed an important part of the investigation and was intended to verify the chain of events leading to the girl’s death.
The officer reiterated that Mondal’s alleged attempt to flee, coupled with his firing at the police team, left officers with no alternative but to retaliate. He sustained bullet injuries during the exchange and later succumbed to them at the hospital.
Police said the investigation is continuing, with the Special Investigation Team expected to pursue all remaining leads as part of its effort to establish the full circumstances of the case and ensure justice for the victim.
