West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday declined to describe the killing of Indrajit Mondal, an auto-rickshaw driver, as a lynching, stating that his identity had been established before the murder. The incident occurred after the body of an 11-year-old rape victim was discovered in a pond in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district.
Chief Minister's Statement and Actions
Adhikari made the remarks after handing over a job letter and a cheque for Rs 25 lakh to Mondal's family. Earlier, he visited the girl's parents at their home and assured them of full support. The chief minister had previously stated that Mondal was innocent and that those involved in his killing would face murder charges. Five individuals have been arrested so far in connection with the case.
“Indrajit’s death was not because of mob lynching; his identity was established before he was murdered,” Adhikari told reporters. He added that he had given an appointment letter for the post of civic volunteer to Mondal’s elder brother, Bapi Mondal, and the financial compensation to his parents.
Allegations of Instigation
Adhikari alleged that radical communal forces or those rejected in recent elections could have instigated the violence. “Those rejected in elections could have instigated the violence. Also, I am not writing off the presence of communal radical forces. Investigation will uncover the truth and action will be taken against everyone involved,” he said. He noted that individuals identified in photographs or video footage have already been arrested.
Bapi Mondal confirmed the chief minister's assistance: “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.”
Details of the Case
The minor girl went missing on July 4, and her body was found stuffed in a sack in the Surjapur Haat area the next day. The discovery sparked protests, with locals blocking the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burning tyres, and damaging police vehicles to demand arrests. Hours after the body was recovered on Sunday, Indrajit Mondal was beaten to death by an angry mob on suspicion of involvement in the crime.
Four people were arrested in connection with the rape-murder case. One of them, Prabash Mondal, was killed in a police encounter late Tuesday night while allegedly trying to snatch a police officer's gun during a crime scene reconstruction. Police have arrested over 35 individuals for their alleged involvement in the subsequent vandalism.
Meeting with Victim's Family and New Police Outpost
Adhikari met the girl's parents and confirmed that police acted on their complaint. “The family had named four persons in their complaint, and all four have been arrested. Those found guilty will get exemplary punishment,” he said. During his visit, he also inaugurated the newly established Surjapur Rural Police Outpost under the Baruipur Police District.
The chief minister's remarks and actions come amid ongoing investigations into the violence and the original crime. The case has drawn significant attention to law and order in the region, with authorities vowing to ensure justice for both the victim and those wrongly accused.
