Prabhas Mondal, the primary suspect in the rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, was killed in a police encounter on February 24, 2025. According to reports from The Telegraph India and NDTV, Mondal died during a crime scene reconstruction exercise when police claimed he attempted to flee and was shot.
Police Encounter During Crime Scene Reconstruction
West Bengal police officials stated that Prabhas Mondal was killed while officers were recreating the events of the crime. According to The Telegraph India, the encounter occurred as police took the accused back to the site of the murder. Authorities claim Mondal tried to escape their custody, leading officers to open fire.
The death of the suspect has sparked immediate reactions from the suspect’s family. Mondal’s mother told NDTV that her son “did wrong” and had been “punished,” suggesting an acceptance of the outcome based on the nature of the crime.
Political Fallout and ‘Uttar Pradesh 2.0’ Allegations
The killing has triggered a sharp political divide between the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Members of the TMC have described the incident as “Uttar Pradesh 2.0,” a reference to the encounter-style policing often associated with the Yogi Adityanath administration in Uttar Pradesh. According to The Telegraph India, the TMC is using this phrasing to criticize the nature of the police action within West Bengal.
Conversely, the BJP has responded by calling for the reopening of the Kamduni case, a previous high-profile murder and rape case in the state. This move is seen as a counter-offensive to the TMC’s criticisms of the Baruipur encounter.
Community Reaction and the Kamduni Connection
The encounter has been welcomed by some activists who have long campaigned for justice in similar cases. Mousumi Kayal, an activist associated with the Kamduni case, praised the killing of the Baruipur accused, as reported by ThePrint.
Timeline of the Baruipur Case
- The Crime: A minor girl went missing in Baruipur, leading to a search that culminated in the discovery of her body.
- The Arrest: Prabhas Mondal was identified and arrested as the prime suspect in the rape and murder.
- The Encounter: On February 24, 2025, Mondal was killed during a police-led reconstruction of the crime scene.
- The Aftermath: Political clashes erupted between the TMC and BJP over the legality and optics of the police killing.
Comparison of Political Framing
| Perspective | Core Argument | Source Reference |
|---|---|---|
| TMC | The encounter mimics the “UP model” of extrajudicial killings. | The Telegraph India |
| BJP | The state should focus on unsolved crimes like the Kamduni case. | The Telegraph India |
| Activists | The encounter serves as a form of immediate justice for the victim. | ThePrint |