Second 'encounter' within 24 hours: Bengal police shoot dead murder accused in Murshidabad

According to police, Samaun allegedly snatched a service weapon from an officer and opened fire while investigators were reconstructing the murder at Old Dakbangla in the Samserganj police station area.

Officers subsequently fired at him, leaving him critically injured.

The incident came hours after Prahlad Das, an accused in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old Class 11 student, was shot dead during a similar exercise in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas, late on Monday.

The circumstances surrounding both incidents have drawn political reactions, while police have maintained that the shootings occurred after the accused allegedly attempted to escape and fired at officers.

The state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was investigating the murder of Sujit Mondal, a resident of Old Dakbangla whose dismembered body was recovered after he went missing under mysterious circumstances on August 28.

Police took Samaun Sheikh to the location where Mondal was allegedly murdered to reconstruct the sequence of events.

During the exercise, the accused allegedly seized an officer's service weapon and opened fire, prompting retaliatory action by the police.

An official from the Jangipur Police District confirmed the shooting but said further details were not immediately available.

“The state CID was investigating the murder. Today (Tuesday), police brought the accused to the spot for crime scene reconstruction. The shooting took place at that time. Later, when taken to the hospital, doctors declared him dead. It is not possible to say anything more at this moment,” the official said.

According to the police, Samaun fired three rounds before officers returned fire, injuring him.

He was taken to Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.

Sujit Mondal murder case

Mondal disappeared on August 28, and investigators subsequently recovered his dismembered body.

The circumstances of the killing prompted a criminal investigation by the state CID.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that Mondal had been killed with a butcher's knife, drawing parallels with the murder of Hargobinda Das and his son, Chandan Das, in Dhuliyan.

Police have also arrested Samiul Sheikh, Tazkira Bibi and Joni Sheikh in connection with the Mondal murder case.

Samaun's death during the reconstruction exercise marks a significant development in the investigation, although the police official said it was too early to provide further details about Tuesday's shooting.

Earlier encounter in Gaighata

The Samserganj shooting followed a similar incident in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas, shortly before midnight on Monday.

Prahlad Das, 23, who was accused of raping and murdering a 17-year-old Class 11 student, was shot during a crime scene reconstruction, according to police.

A senior police officer said Das allegedly snatched a service revolver from an officer and opened fire, prompting the police to retaliate.

Officers took cover in a nearby canal during the incident, and no policeman was injured.

Das was subsequently taken to Chandpara Rural Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

The senior officer said the circumstances surrounding the incident could be examined further.

“The circumstances under which the accused managed to snatch an officer's revolver and the sequence of events leading to the firing are likely to be probed,” the officer said.

The two shootings occurred during separate crime scene reconstruction exercises, with police in both cases claiming that the accused had opened fire after seizing officers' weapons.

Opposition questions 'encounter'

The twin incidents triggered political reactions in West Bengal, with CPI(M) state secretary Mohammed Salim questioning the circumstances of the Gaighata shooting.

Salim described the encounter as “scripted” and drew a comparison with an earlier incident in Baruipur.

“Instead of SOP, it’s in accordance with SOAP opera. Same Baruipur script in this episode too. Some small details needed,” he alleged.

His remarks raised questions about the sequence of events described by the police, particularly how the accused allegedly managed to seize a service revolver during the reconstruction exercise.

Gaighata victim's family reacts

The family of the teenager who was allegedly raped and murdered in Gaighata welcomed the news of the accused's death.

The girl's father said the development could not undo the loss suffered by the family but expressed support for the police action.

“I will never get my daughter back. The police did the right thing on the government's orders. The accused tried to escape and fired at the police. We have learnt that he died in retaliatory police firing,” he said.

The father's remarks followed the police account that Das had attempted to escape during the reconstruction exercise and fired at officers before they retaliated.