Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Mahua Moitra on Wednesday condemned the police encounter in which one of the accused in the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur was killed, labeling it as 'jungle law'. The incident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday when the accused, identified as Prabhas Mondal, allegedly attempted to escape from custody by snatching a police firearm and opening fire during a crime scene reconstruction exercise, according to West Bengal police. Mondal sustained bullet injuries in the retaliatory firing by the police and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead.
Moitra's Reaction and Political Context
Reacting to the development, Moitra took to social media platform X to express her concerns. In a post, she wrote, 'Baruipur rape murder accused Prabhash Mondal killed in encounter! What is going on @WBPolice? Bengalis please welcome new Bengal-Uttar Pradesh 2.0. @BJP4Bengal is no government. This is jungle law.' Her remarks drew sharp criticism from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the TMC of politicizing the issue.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari had visited the victim's family in Baruipur on Tuesday and assured them of justice. The encounter came amid heightened tensions over the law and order situation in the state, with the TMC alleging a deterioration since the BJP-led government came to power. Former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also participated in a candlelight march demanding justice for the victim.
Police Version of Events
According to a statement from the West Bengal police, the encounter took place during a crime scene reconstruction exercise. 'The accused, Prabhas Mondal, snatched a firearm from a police officer and opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate. He was injured and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital,' a police spokesperson said. The police have initiated an inquiry into the incident, as is standard procedure in such cases.
The accused was one of the individuals arrested in connection with the brutal rape and murder of the minor girl in Baruipur, a case that had sparked widespread outrage and protests across the state. The victim's family had been demanding swift justice, and the encounter has now raised questions about the handling of the case.
Political Fallout
The TMC has accused the BJP government of fostering a 'jungle raj' in the state, pointing to the encounter as evidence of extrajudicial actions. 'This is not justice; this is a cover-up. The government is taking the law into its own hands,' said a TMC spokesperson. The BJP, however, defended the police action, stating that the accused's attempt to escape and attack officers left them with no choice. 'The police acted in self-defense. The TMC should stop playing politics with a heinous crime,' a BJP leader retorted.
The encounter has added fuel to the ongoing political rivalry between the TMC and the BJP in West Bengal, with both parties using the incident to score points ahead of upcoming elections. The victim's family has expressed mixed reactions, with some demanding a thorough investigation into the encounter and others satisfied that the accused is no longer alive.
Broader Implications
The Baruipur encounter highlights the contentious issue of police encounters in India, where extrajudicial killings have often been criticized by human rights groups. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognizance of the incident and sought a detailed report from the West Bengal government within a week. Legal experts have called for a transparent probe to ensure that the rule of law is upheld.
As the investigation continues, the case has become a flashpoint in the state's political landscape, with both the TMC and the BJP using it to mobilize support. The encounter has also reignited debates about the use of force by law enforcement agencies and the need for accountability in such operations.
