Child murder in West Bengal sparks lynching, encounter, and political blame game
In West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district, a series of violent incidents has unfolded after the murder of an 11-year-old child, allegedly by four men. The crime sparked protests demanding swift justice. However, the subsequent events have raised serious concerns about law enforcement and due process.
Days after the child's body was found, a mob in Baruipur lynched a man suspected of involvement. Reports later indicated that the man was likely not responsible for the murder. The state government ordered a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the lynching, acknowledging lapses by police. However, this did little to quell public anger.
In a further escalation, one of the accused in the child's murder was killed in what the police described as an encounter. The incident drew sharp reactions from political leaders. The Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, characterised the mob violence as a 'political conspiracy' with a 'communal connection', deflecting blame from the police. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh defended the encounter, labelling those questioning it as 'anti-social' and suggesting that 'the criminal and those who support criminals should receive equal treatment'.
These statements from prominent political figures have been criticised by legal experts and civil society groups as undermining the rule of law. They argue that such rhetoric may be seen as condoning extra-judicial actions and vigilantism. The issue is particularly sensitive given the ruling party's earlier commitments to law and order and women's safety.
The case highlights a pattern of state failure: the initial crime, the breakdown of due process leading to a lynching, and the subsequent encounter that bypassed judicial procedure. While the government has set up an SIT, critics say that without accountability for the police and political leaders who justify these actions, public trust in the justice system will continue to erode.
