Kolkata, Jul 8 (UNI) Hours after one of the prime accused in the alleged gang rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur was killed in a police encounter, Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the West Bengal Police, alleging that the state was descending into "jungle law."
Taking to X, Moitra wrote, "Baruipur rape murder accused Prabhash Mondal killed in encounter! What is going on West Bengal Police? Bengalis please welcome new Bengal—Uttar Pradesh 2.0. BJP is no government. This is jungle law."
Her remarks came after Prabhash Mondal, one of the main accused in the sensational rape and murder case, died after being shot by the police during a late-night operation in Baruipur's Suryapur area.
According to the police, Mondal was taken to the crime scene shortly after midnight for reconstruction of the sequence of events as part of the ongoing investigation.
During the exercise, he allegedly attempted to escape from police custody.
Investigators claimed that despite repeated warnings, he continued to flee, forcing the police to open fire to prevent his escape.
Mondal sustained bullet injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
The encounter has triggered political controversy, with Moitra's criticism adding to the debate over the circumstances surrounding the accused's death.
While the police have maintained that the firing was carried out in self-defence and to prevent the accused from escaping custody, questions are likely to be raised over the sequence of events leading to the encounter.
The alleged gang rape and murder of the 12-year-old girl in Baruipur has sparked widespread outrage across West Bengal, with the investigation remaining under intense public and political scrutiny.
UNI SAG RSA