Prabhas Mondal, one of the main accused in the alleged gang rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur, West Bengal, was killed in a police encounter early in the morning while officers were conducting a crime scene reconstruction, the West Bengal Police said.
The incident occurred at 12:45 a.m. in the Suryapur area, where investigators had taken Mondal to reconstruct the sequence of events as part of the ongoing investigation into the case that has sparked widespread public outrage.
Police Account of the Encounter
According to the police, Mondal allegedly snatched a firearm from a police officer, opened fire on the escorting team, and tried to flee from custody.
Police officials said officers responded with retaliatory fire after the alleged attack, during which Mondal was shot and injured.
He was immediately taken to Baruipur Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police have said the use of force was because of the alleged attempt to escape and the threat to officers. As in any such case, the official version will be examined and might be subject to further investigation and legal scrutiny.
Background of the Case
Mondal was among the accused in the alleged gang rape and murder of a minor girl, reported to be around 11 or 12 years old, in Baruipur, located in the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal.
The case has received a lot of public attention, given the age of the victim and the gravity of the allegations. Forensic evidence has been collected, witness accounts have been taken, and the alleged sequence of events has been reconstructed to buttress the prosecution’s case.
The accused are still subject to judicial proceedings, and guilt is determined by the courts based on the evidence.
POLICE ENCOUNTER :
— SANDIP HALDER (@HALDERSAN) July 8, 2026
> Yesterday night, while recreating the crime scene, Prabhash Mondal, one of the accused in the Baruipur child rape and murder case, allegedly snatched the pistol of a police personnel and attempting to escape, tried to fire at the police personnel.
> RESULT:… pic.twitter.com/swMdAeghO3
Crime Scene Reconstruction
Crime scene reconstruction is a standard procedure in serious criminal prosecution. In this process, investigators revisit the location where the crime was committed and talk to the accused to establish the sequence and verify what the accused said in the investigation.
According to police, Mondal was being escorted for this purpose when the alleged escape attempt occurred.
The police have not yet released details on how the firearm was seized or what sequence of events led to the shooting.
Investigation Continues
The death of a suspect in police custody is likely to draw attention from oversight agencies. Such incidents are subject to legal processes (e.g., whether or not excessive force was used) in line with applicable laws and regulations.
The investigation into the alleged rape and murder case continues, with police gathering more evidence.
Officials have urged the public to avoid speculation and rely on verified information as the investigation progresses.
The tragic death of the minor victim has fueled a demand for swift justice and thorough legal processes. The authorities will proceed with the investigation in accordance with the law while ensuring that all investigative procedures are completed.
