West Bengal Murder Accused Killed in Police Encounter During Crime Scene Reconstruction

Prabhas Mondal, the prime accused in the brutal rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, was reportedly shot dead in a police encounter early Wednesday morning. The incident occurred around 12.45 am at Suryapur while investigators were reconstructing the crime scene.

According to police reports, Mondal reportedly snatched a service weapon from an escorting officer, opened fire on the team, and attempted to flee into the darkness. Officers returned fire in self-defense, wounding Mondal. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors said he was dead.

Crime Scene Escalation and the Encounter

The late-night reconstruction was part of the ongoing investigation into the July 4 disappearance of the young girl. Police reportedly said that Mondal was taken to the specific site in Suryapur to map out the sequence of events.
“The accused suddenly grabbed a service pistol, fired a round at the accompanying team, and tried to break custody,” a senior police official said. “Our officers were forced to open fire in self-defense. All standard legal procedures regarding custodial deaths and encounters are being strictly followed.”

During interrogation, Mondal reportedly confessed and named three accomplices:

• Anand Sardar
• Dibakar Sardar
• Kabir Mollah

All three suspects have been arrested. Police believe the group lured the girl to an isolated spot, sexually assaulted her, murdered her, and dumped her body in the pond to destroy evidence.

The suspects face charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012.

Local Outrage and Backlash

The public anger turned fatal when a mob lynched an individual suspected of involvement during the riots. Police have since arrested roughly 20 people in connection with the mob violence.

In a striking development, the mother of the deceased accused, Prabhas Mondal, expressed no grief over her son's fate. Speaking to reporters, “she stated she had no regrets and that he had received the punishment he deserved for his actions.”

The victim’s family continues to demand a fast-track trial and the death penalty for the remaining co-accused. Forensic teams are currently processing evidence from the pond and the Suryapur site to finalize the chargesheet.

Also read: Bengal Police Probe Shack, Await Forensic Reports in Baruipur Girl Murder Case