Bengal minor girl rape-murder: Accused Pravas Mondal killed in encounter at Baruipur
Synopsis
The first accused arrested in the Baruipur minor girl rape-murder case is dead — shot during a police encounter after he allegedly snatched a service rifle and fired at officers during a crime-scene reconstruction. With two suspects still in custody and public anger unabated, the case now enters a critical and contested new phase.
Key Takeaways
Pravas Mondal , the first accused arrested in the Baruipur minor girl rape-murder case , was killed in a police encounter in the early hours of 8 July .
Mondal allegedly snatched a service rifle from an escorting officer during a crime-scene reconstruction and fired at pursuing police, who responded with counter-fire.
The victim, a 12-year-old girl , was found dead in a pond in the Suryapur area of Baruipur, South 24 Parganas , on Sunday morning; she was allegedly raped and murdered.
A six-member SIT is investigating the case; two other accused — Dibakar Sarkar and Ananda Sardar — remain in custody.
Ananda Sardar is identified by police as the prime accused and alleged mastermind of the crime.
An accused in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, was killed in a police encounter in the early hours of Wednesday, 8 July, after he allegedly snatched a service rifle from an escorting officer and opened fire while attempting to flee. The deceased, Pravas Mondal, was the first of three men arrested in connection with the case.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to state police sources, Mondal had been taken to the crime scene on Tuesday night as part of a crime-scene reconstruction exercise. During that exercise, he allegedly grabbed a service rifle from one of the police personnel escorting him and made a bid to escape.
When officers gave chase, Mondal reportedly fired at them using the snatched weapon. Police responded with counter-fire, and Mondal sustained bullet injuries. He was subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he was declared dead.
The Crime That Triggered the Case
The body of the 12-year-old victim was recovered from a pond in the Suryapur area of Baruipur on Sunday morning. Authorities allege she was raped and murdered. Her disappearance was reported on Saturday afternoon, after local residents told police they had seen her with the accused shortly before she went missing.
The recovery of her body triggered violent protests in the area, with residents demanding immediate arrests and stringent punishment for those responsible. A six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to probe the case.
Arrests and the Role of CCTV Evidence
Mondal was the first to be arrested, on the same evening the SIT was formed, after investigators identified him in CCTV footage from the area showing him in the company of the minor girl. Police stated that Mondal was uncooperative during questioning and gave contradictory statements, prompting the decision to conduct the crime-scene reconstruction.
Following interrogation of Mondal, two more suspects were arrested: Dibakar Sarkar and Ananda Sardar. According to police, Ananda Sardar is considered the prime accused and the alleged mastermind behind the crime.
Reconstruction Exercise and Sequence of Events
Investigating officials said the reconstruction was necessary to establish the precise sequence of events and to verify Mondal's specific role. It was during this exercise, conducted in the early hours of Wednesday, that the encounter took place. The police version of events — that Mondal fired first — has not yet been independently verified.
What Happens Next
With Mondal dead, the investigation will now focus on the remaining two accused, Dibakar Sarkar and Ananda Sardar, who remain in custody. The SIT is expected to continue its probe, and the encounter itself may draw scrutiny from judicial or oversight bodies, as such incidents typically do under standard procedure. The case has already inflamed public sentiment across South 24 Parganas, and pressure on authorities to deliver a swift and transparent trial remains high.
Point of View
And independent verification is rarely immediate. The Baruipur case is already politically charged, with violent public protests preceding the arrests; Mondal's death in custody will intensify scrutiny of the SIT's conduct. The two remaining accused are now the sole thread of accountability in a case that has shaken South 24 Parganas. Whether the encounter narrative holds up to judicial review will be as important to public trust as the eventual trial of the surviving accused.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Pravas Mondal and why was he arrested?
Pravas Mondal was the first of three men arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. He was identified through CCTV footage showing him with the victim shortly before she went missing on Saturday afternoon.
How did the encounter with Pravas Mondal take place?
According to police, Mondal was taken to the crime scene on Tuesday night for a reconstruction exercise. He allegedly snatched a service rifle from an escorting officer, attempted to flee, and fired at pursuing police, who responded with counter-fire. Mondal sustained bullet injuries and was declared dead at a local hospital.
What happened to the minor girl in the Baruipur case?
The body of the 12-year-old victim was recovered from a pond in the Suryapur area of Baruipur on Sunday morning. Authorities allege she was raped and murdered after going missing on the previous Saturday afternoon.
Who are the other accused in the Baruipur minor girl murder case?
Two other men — Dibakar Sarkar and Ananda Sardar — were arrested following interrogation of Pravas Mondal. Police have identified Ananda Sardar as the prime accused and alleged mastermind of the crime. Both remain in custody.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) is conducting the probe. With Pravas Mondal dead, the investigation will centre on the two remaining accused. The encounter itself is likely to face procedural scrutiny, as is standard in such cases.
