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).

Perpetrator Data: In 97% of severe POCSO cases, the accused is known to the child (relatives, neighbors, or family friends).

The Hidden Reality: Experts warn that due to social stigma and fear, the actual number of cases is likely much higher than reported figures.

Home Minister Amit Shah said in North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, that the Mamata government is protecting infiltrators. The people of Bengal will overthrow the TMC. The time has come for their departure.

Mamata ji can oppose the CAA as much as she wants. The infiltrators will have to be removed from the voter list. The remaining infiltrators will be removed by the BJP Chief Minister when he comes to power. 2026 is the year to say 'Tata, bye-bye' to the TMC.

Shah's speech, 6 key points...

2026 is the year to say 'Tata, bye-bye' to the TMC. The TMC has gone even further than the communists. When I first came here, I said that a BJP government would be formed in West Bengal with a huge majority. At that time, Mamata Banerjee was making fun of me. But when Lord Ram built the Ram Setu, Ravana also mocked him in the same way.
In 2024, for the first time in three decades, Modi became the Prime Minister of this country for the third consecutive time. In 2024 itself, we formed the government in Andhra Pradesh. We formed the government in Odisha. We formed the government for the third time in Arunachal Pradesh. In 2025, we formed the government in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi after 30 years, and by the end of 2025, the BJP and NDA government was formed in Bihar with a massive majority.
The last words of all those who were martyred in the freedom struggle, who were hanged, were also Vande Mataram. The Modi government has decided to celebrate 150 years of Vande Mataram across the country.
But see the irony, Vande Mataram originated from the soil of Bengal, composed by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay. When there was a discussion on the same Vande Mataram in Parliament, Mamata Banerjee's MPs were opposing that discussion.
The fire in Anandpur is not an accident. 25 people have lost their lives, and 27 are missing. Why did this incident happen? Whose money is invested in this momo factory? Who are the owners of the momo factory? The fire at the Anandpur warehouse is screaming out that Mamata Banerjee's people are involved. Mamata Banerjee may want to cover it up, but after April, when the BJP government comes to power, we will identify and send those responsible for this fire to jail. Incidentally, 25 people died in a factory fire in Anandpur on January 26th.
Amit Shah arrived in Kolkata yesterday for a two-day visit.

Amit Shah is on a two-day visit to West Bengal. He arrived in Kolkata on Friday night. After addressing a rally in Barrackpore, North 24 Parganas, he will leave for Bagdogra at 2 PM, where he will attend an organizational meeting with party leaders from North Bengal.

This is Shah's second visit to the state in a month. He had previously visited Kolkata on December 30th and 31st. The West Bengal assembly elections are due in a few months.

सुनीता विलियम्स और बुच विल्मोर अप्रत्याशित देरी के कारण अंतर्राष्ट्रीय अंतरिक्ष स्टेशन (ISS) में नौ महीने से अधिक समय बिताने के बाद पृथ्वी पर वापस आ गए। उनका अंतरिक्ष यान, स्पेसएक्स का ड्रैगन फ्रीडम कैप्सूल, मंगलवार को शाम 5.57 बजे (बुधवार को 3:27 बजे IST) तल्हासी के पास फ्लोरिडा तट से सफलतापूर्वक उतरा।

‘बुच और सुनी’ के साथ अंतरिक्ष यात्री निक हेग और अलेक्जेंडर ग्रेब्योनकिन भी थे, जो दिसंबर में NASA और स्पेसएक्स द्वारा नियोजित बचाव अभियान के हिस्से के रूप में ISS पहुंचे थे।

"स्पेसएक्स की ओर से, घर में आपका स्वागत है," कैलिफोर्निया में स्पेसएक्स मिशन कंट्रोल ने रेडियो पर कहा।

अपनी 17 घंटे की यात्रा के एक घंटे बाद, अंतरिक्ष यात्री अपने झुलसे हुए कैप्सूल से बाहर निकले, नियमित चिकित्सा जांच के लिए स्ट्रेचर पर ले जाए जाने के दौरान कैमरों की ओर हाथ हिलाते और मुस्कुराते हुए।

सफल बचाव के राजनीतिक निहितार्थों को नज़रअंदाज़ करना मुश्किल था क्योंकि व्हाइट हाउस ने दावा किया कि बचाव अभियान राष्ट्रपति ट्रम्प के प्रयासों के कारण था। “वादा किया, वादा निभाया: राष्ट्रपति ट्रम्प ने नौ महीने से अंतरिक्ष में फंसे अंतरिक्ष यात्रियों को बचाने का वादा किया। आज, वे सुरक्षित रूप से अमेरिका की खाड़ी में उतर गए, @ElonMusk, @SpaceX और @NASA का शुक्रिया!” X पर लिखा था।

सुनीता विलियम्स और बुच विल्मोर पिछले साल जून में एक निर्धारित आठ दिवसीय मिशन के लिए ISS गए थे। बोइंग स्टारलाइनर कैप्सूल के प्रणोदन प्रणाली में समस्याएँ आने के कारण उन्हें वहाँ रुकने के लिए मजबूर होना पड़ा। यह जोड़ी बोइंग के स्टारलाइनर को परीक्षण उड़ान में उड़ाने वाले पहले चालक दल के सदस्य थे। दोषपूर्ण कैप्सूल पिछले सितंबर में पृथ्वी पर वापस आ गया।

सुनीता विलियम्स और बुच विल्मोर ने अंतर्राष्ट्रीय अंतरिक्ष स्टेशन पर 286 दिन बिताए, जहाँ उन्होंने 4500 से अधिक परिक्रमाएँ कीं और 121 मिलियन से अधिक वैधानिक मील की यात्रा की। चालक दल नासा के 45-दिवसीय पोस्ट-मिशन पुनर्वास कार्यक्रम से गुजरेगा, जिसे अंतरिक्ष यात्रियों को अंतरिक्ष उड़ान के शारीरिक प्रभावों से उबरने में मदद करने के लिए डिज़ाइन किया गया है।

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'बुच और सुनी' ने अंतरिक्ष में 286 दिन बिताए - प्रक्षेपण के समय अनुमानित समय से 278 दिन ज़्यादा। उन्होंने पृथ्वी की 4,576 बार परिक्रमा की और स्पलैशडाउन के समय तक 121 मिलियन मील (195 मिलियन किलोमीटर) की यात्रा की। सुनीता विलियम्स, अपनी तीसरी अंतरिक्ष उड़ान पूरी करते हुए, अंतरिक्ष में कुल 608 दिन बिता चुकी होंगी, जो कि पेगी व्हिटसन के 675 दिनों के बाद किसी भी अमेरिकी अंतरिक्ष यात्री के लिए दूसरा सबसे ज़्यादा दिन है। रूसी अंतरिक्ष यात्री ओलेग कोनोनेंको ने पिछले साल 878 संचयी दिनों का विश्व रिकॉर्ड बनाया था।

पश्चिम बंगाल विधानसभा में मंगलवार को एंटी रेप बिल पास हो गया। नए कानून के तहत रेप केस की 21 दिन में जांच पूरी करनी होगी। इसके अलावा पीड़ित के कोमा में जाने या मौत होने पर दोषी को 10 दिन में फांसी की सजा होगी। बिल आगे राज्यपाल के पास भेजा जाएगा। उनके साइन के बाद यह कानून बन जाएगा।

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कोलकाता के आरजी कर मेडिकल कॉलेज और अस्पताल में 8-9 अगस्त को ट्रेनी डॉक्टर के साथ रेप-मर्डर हुआ था। इसके बाद देशभर में डॉक्टरों और राजनीतिक दलों के प्रदर्शन के बाद ममता बनर्जी ने कहा था कि वो राज्य में रेप जैसे अपराध के लिए सख्त कानून बनाएंगी। उन्होंने प्रधानमंत्री को भी इसके लिए दो बार चिट्‌ठी लिखी थी।