KOLKATA: Pravash Mondal, the prime accused in the brutal gang-rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal’s Baruipur, was killed in a police encounter past midnight on Tuesday.
According to police sources, the incident occurred when Mondal was taken to the crime scene for identification and reconstruction of the events. During the process, the accused allegedly snatched a firearm from one of the police officers and attempted to escape.
The police stated that Mondal fired at the team after ignoring warnings to surrender. In self-defense, the police personnel retaliated, leaving the accused critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Two police officers also sustained injuries during the shootout.
The horrific crime came to light after the 11-year-old girl went missing on July 4. Her body was recovered the following day, packed in a sack and dumped in a local pond. The post-mortem report later confirmed that she was brutally gang-raped before being murdered.
The discovery of the minor’s body triggered massive public outrage and violent protests in Baruipur. Angry mobs clashed with law enforcement, vandalized police vehicles, and blocked railway tracks, prompting authorities to impose prohibitory orders in the area.
While the prime accused has been killed in the encounter, two other individuals arrested in connection with the crime remain in police custody.
