West Bengal minor 'rape and murder': Baruipur erupts after girl's body recovered; mob lynches suspect

Locals alleged that she had been raped and murdered, according to media reports.

Tensions escalated after an angry mob allegedly lynched one of the suspects, identified as 26-year-old Indrajit Tanti, accusing him of involvement in the crime.

Police have reportedly arrested another key accused in connection with the alleged rape and murder of the minor.

According to reports, the girl left her home at around 4 p.m. on Saturday to visit a nearby shop but never returned. After searching for her throughout the night without success, her family lodged a missing person complaint with the police.

Her body was found floating in a pond on Sunday morning, triggering outrage among locals.

Enraged locals initially refused to allow police to take custody of the body.

According to reports,  they attacked vehicles, set some on fire, and blocked a key road in the village, disrupting traffic and escalating tensions.

The situation was eventually brought under control after senior police officials reached the spot and appealed for calm.

Using a megaphone, police urged residents to cooperate with the investigation and assured them that those responsible would be brought to justice.

“Just a short while ago, the Chief Minister spoke to us directly over the phone. He assured us that no person involved in this crime will be spared. We urge everyone to cooperate with the government and police during the investigation. We stand with you at every step,” Presidency Range Inspector General Kankarprasad Barui told The Indian Express.

After police took custody of the body, it was sent to the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Police are investigating both the alleged rape and murder of the minor and the subsequent lynching of the suspect.

A six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the Additional Superintendent of Police, has been constituted to probe the incident.

Meanwhile, the political row over the incident intensified. In a post on X, the All India Trinamool Congress targeted the Bharatiya Janata Party, writing: “Crimes against women continue to rise in Bengal, while @BJP4Bengal's false promises fall flat yet again.”

The party further said: “When it comes to making hollow promises to grab power, the BJP is always vocal. But when it comes to standing up for women and ensuring justice, the silence is deafening. Who cares about women's safety and security once power has already been seized?”