Baruipur Rape-Murder: CPI(M) Leader Arrested for Inciting Violence, Denies Charges

The CPI(M) leader Lahek Ali, arrested on Sunday in connection with the violence that erupted during protests over the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur town, has termed his arrest 'politically motivated.'

Police allege that Mr Ali instigated the demonstrators who, on July 5, lynched a man, vandalised police vehicles, torched tyres, and blocked roads after the minor's body was recovered from a pond in Surjyapur. The girl had gone missing a day earlier.

'My arrest is politically motivated, and I was not involved in the violence,' Mr Ali told reporters as he was taken to the Baruipur court on Monday. He was seen wearing a helmet during the court appearance.

Mr Ali is the first political leader to be arrested in connection with the violence in the South 24 Parganas district. He was the CPI(M) candidate for the Baruipur Paschim constituency in the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections.

State Minister Dilip Ghosh said that those responsible for instigating the violence and destroying public property should face legal action. 'The law will take its own course,' he added.

CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim condemned the arrest, alleging that the police were targeting protesters instead of the actual perpetrators. 'Instead of arresting the criminals, the police are arresting those who protested,' he said, calling the arrest 'planned.' Senior CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty also described the arrest as 'politically motivated.'

The unrest began after the girl's body was discovered in a pond on July 5, sparking outrage in the locality. Police have registered a case of rape and murder and are investigating. No arrests have been made in the main crime yet, leading to criticism of the police's priorities.