Baruipur Rape-Murder: 12-Year-Old Killed, Four Arrested, One Shot in Encounter
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, the body of a 12-year-old girl was discovered in a pond in Baruipur, West Bengal. She had been reported missing a day earlier. The discovery led to widespread protests and mob violence, including attacks on police personnel, vandalism of vehicles, and blocking of roads and railway tracks. A man was also lynched by the mob.
By Wednesday, July 8, police had arrested four individuals in connection with the crime: Prabhas Mandal, Anand Sardar, Dibakar Sardar, and Kabir Mollah. Preliminary investigations indicated that Prabhas Mandal abducted the girl and, along with others, sexually assaulted her before throwing her into the pond. A CCTV footage showed Mandal with the victim. The post-mortem report confirmed sexual assault and death by drowning, suggesting the child was alive when thrown into the water.
In the early hours of July 8, Prabhas Mandal was shot dead in what police described as an encounter. According to police, while being taken to recreate the crime scene, Mandal snatched a firearm and fired at officers, leading to retaliatory fire. He succumbed to injuries at Baruipur State General Hospital.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari assured justice for the victim's family and stated that those involved in mob violence would face consequences. The accused have been booked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections 63 (rape), 70(2) (gang rape), 103(1) (murder), and 238 (tampering with evidence), along with relevant provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012.
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed across areas under three police stations. Four First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered: one for the rape and murder, and others for mob violence, attacks on police, and obstruction of roads and railways.
Chief Minister Adhikari alleged attempts to give a communal colour to the incident and compared the protests to earlier mob violence during the Trinamool Congress rule. He also stated that the lynched man was innocent. Amid allegations of police inaction, Adhikari asked the state's Director General of Police for a report within 72 hours, promising action for any negligence. A video clip shared by the Trinamool Congress purportedly showed a conversation between one accused and police, mentioning a 'Raja' described as a 'party person'.
The victim's family met the Chief Minister and demanded exemplary punishment for the accused. They also raised questions about police conduct and requested a police outpost near their residence. The Chief Minister assured them of a fair investigation.
