Bengal Opposition Leader Offers Compensation, Job to Family of Lynching Victim in Rape-Murder Case
West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday handed over a job letter and a cheque of ₹25 lakh to the family of Indrajit Mondal, who was lynched after the body of an 11-year-old girl, raped and murdered, was recovered from a pond in South 24 Parganas district.
Mr. Adhikari first visited the parents of the girl at their home and later met the family members of Indrajit Mondal. According to a senior official, he presented an appointment letter for the post of civic volunteer to Mondal's elder brother, Bapi Mondal, and a ₹25 lakh cheque to his parents.
Earlier, Mr. Adhikari had stated that Mondal was innocent and that those responsible for his lynching would be charged with murder. Five individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the lynching.
Bapi Mondal said, 'The Chief Minister has assured us of all help. He gave me the appointment letter and asked me to join the job. This is an appointment letter for a civic volunteer at the Baruipur Police District.' However, it is noted that Mr. Adhikari is not the Chief Minister but the Leader of Opposition in the state assembly.
At the victim's house, Mr. Adhikari assured her father of all assistance. Later, he inaugurated a new police outpost at Surjapur under the Baruipur Police District jurisdiction.
The minor had gone missing on July 4, and her body was found in the Surjapur Haat area the next day. The discovery triggered protests by locals who blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burnt tyres, and damaged police vehicles, demanding the arrest of the accused.
Hours after the body was recovered on July 5, Indrajit Mondal was beaten to death by an angry mob on suspicion of involvement in the girl's death. Four people have been arrested in connection with the rape and murder. One of them, Prabash Mondal, was killed in a police encounter on July 7 while allegedly trying to snatch an officer's gun during a crime scene reconstruction.
Police have arrested over 35 people for alleged involvement in the vandalism that followed the discovery of the body.
