Baruipur Encounter: Mother Refuses Body of Rape Accused

Baruipur, West Bengal: Prabhas Mandal, the prime accused in the horrific rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, was killed in a police encounter. The incident occurred when the accused allegedly attempted to flee from police custody.

According to news agency PTI, a police official stated that during the recreation of the crime scene, Prabhas Mandal snatched a police rifle. This led to an exchange of fire between the accused and the police, during which Mandal was shot. He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The police had arrested two individuals in connection with the crime: Prabhas Mandal and Anand Sardar.

Gruesome Details of the Crime
The 12-year-old girl went missing on July 4, and her body was recovered from a local pond on July 5.

Police reviewed local CCTV footage, which showed four individuals taking the girl away. The preliminary autopsy report revealed horrifying details:

Cause of Death: The victim was thrown into the pond alive. Water was found in her lungs and stomach, indicating she died of drowning and severe blood loss.

Injuries: She suffered severe trauma to her head, likely from a heavy object or being slammed against a hard surface. Scratches, bite marks, and injuries to her private parts were also documented.

"He Got What He Deserved"
Following the encounter, Prabhas Mandal's mother, Sandhya Mandal, outrightly refused to claim his body.

"He has received the punishment for what he did. I do not even want to see his face, and no family member will go to collect his body." — Sandhya Mandal

She also alleged that her son was a long-time drug addict who never listened to her.

Mob Justice Claims an Innocent Life
Shortly after the girl's body was discovered on July 5, an enraged mob lynched a man named Indrajit Tanti (also referred to as Indrajit Mandal), suspecting his involvement in the rape and murder.

During a visit to the victim's family on July 7, Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that according to police briefings, the lynched youth was innocent. He met with Indrajit's family, assuring them of justice.

Chief Minister's Response & Ongoing Action
CM Adhikari outlined a five-point response to the crisis:

Zero Tolerance: Instructed the Police Commissioner (CP) and SP to ensure such incidents are not repeated anywhere in Bengal.

72-Hour Deadline: Sought a detailed investigation report from the DGP within 72 hours.

Accountability: Promised strict action against officers if even 1% negligence is found in handling the initial complaint.

Vandalism Arrests: Approximately 200 people have been identified for vandalizing public property, police vehicles, and railway tracks during protests. All will be arrested.

Political Conspiracy: Alleged that certain political parties, radical groups, and anti-national forces fueled the violence.

Political Row Escalates
The tragedy has sparked a massive political controversy in Bengal. Trinamool Congress (TMC) Chief Mamata Banerjee, along with party leaders, held a candle march on July 6 to protest the incident.

The TMC alleged that heavy police forces were deployed outside Banerjee's residence to prevent her from visiting the victim's grieving family.

NCW Seeks Action Taken Report
On July 6, the National Commission for Women (NCW) intervened, demanding a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) from Bengal DGP Siddharth Nath Gupta within a week. The NCW specified that the report must cover both the primary crime and the subsequent mob violence, which included the lynching of an innocent man, attacks on central forces, and the torching of police vehicles.

The Broader Picture: India's POCSO Crisis
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), child sexual abuse remains a critical issue in India:

Annual Cases: Approximately 70,000 POCSO cases are registered every year (roughly 5,766 per month or 190 per day).

2024 Statistics: A staggering 69,191 POCSO cases were recorded, involving 70,132 minor victims. POCSO cases account for nearly 37% of all crimes against children (totaling 1.87 lakh).