Bengal CM Suvendu Adhikari Says Baruipur Killing Cannot Be Called Mob Lynching

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has said that the killing of Indrajit Mondal in Baruipur cannot be described as mob lynching. Indrajit Mondal was beaten to death by a crowd after he was suspected of involvement in the killing of a 12-year-old girl, whose body was subsequently found. Reports later emerged suggesting Indrajit Mondal was innocent.

The Chief Minister's position was that since Indrajit Mondal's identity was established before the killing took place, it cannot be termed a mob lynching. He also alleged that those trying to destabilise Bengal were behind the killing, suggesting that certain political figures rejected by voters or extremist elements may have been responsible for the violence.

The 12-year-old girl had gone missing on July 4. Her body was found the following day, stuffed in a sack in a pond in the Suryapur Haat area. Protests broke out in Baruipur in the aftermath, with residents blockading roads, burning tyres and damaging police vehicles.

Within hours of the body being found, Indrajit Mondal was beaten to death by a mob on suspicion of involvement in the crime. Police subsequently arrested four persons in connection with the girl's rape and murder. One of the accused, Prabhash Montal, was killed in a police encounter. Police said he had attempted to snatch a weapon from an officer while being taken to the scene for evidence collection.

Police have also intensified action in connection with the violence that erupted following the girl's death. Authorities said more than 35 people have been arrested for attacking police personnel and damaging vehicles during the protests.