Samserganj encounter: Second police killing in Bengal on same day after Gaighata
Synopsis
West Bengal recorded two police encounter killings in a single day on 27 October — first in Gaighata, then in Samserganj, where Samiul Sheikh, accused in the murder of BJP leader Sujit Mondal, was shot dead during a CID crime-scene reconstruction. The twin incidents on the same day are certain to intensify scrutiny of custodial practices and law enforcement accountability in the state.
Key Takeaways
Samiul Sheikh , accused in the murder of BJP leader Sujit Mondal , was killed in a police encounter in Samserganj, Murshidabad on 27 October .
Sheikh reportedly snatched a firearm from a CID officer during a crime-scene reconstruction exercise before being shot.
He was declared dead at Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital .
Sujit Mondal had disappeared on 28 August ; his dismembered body was later recovered, triggering suspensions and transfers of police officials.
Earlier the same day, Prahlad Das — accused in a minor girl's rape and murder in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas — was also killed in an encounter, making it two encounter deaths in West Bengal on the same day.
Two of the three accused in the Mondal murder — Tajkira Bibi and Johnny Sheikh — remain in custody.
West Bengal recorded two separate police encounter killings on the same day — Tuesday, 27 October 2026 — as Samiul Sheikh, one of the accused in the murder of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sujit Mondal in Murshidabad's Samserganj area, was shot dead during a scene-reconstruction exercise by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the West Bengal police. The second encounter came within hours of the killing of Prahlad Das, an accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas district.
How the Samserganj Encounter Unfolded
According to officials, the CID took Sheikh to the crime scene on Tuesday afternoon to reconstruct the sequence of events related to Mondal's murder. During the process, Sheikh reportedly snatched a firearm from one of the escorting CID officers and opened fire at the police personnel. CID officers retaliated, leaving Sheikh critically injured.
He was immediately rushed to Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital in Murshidabad, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. An officer from the Jangipur Police District confirmed the sequence of events, saying: 'The state CID was investigating the murder of Sujit Mondal. On Tuesday, the accused Samiul Sheikh was taken to the spot to reconstruct the crime scene. At that time, a gun battle took place. After that, the accused was taken to the hospital, where the doctors declared him dead.'
Background: The Murder of Sujit Mondal
Local BJP leader Sujit Mondal, a resident of the Old Dakbanglo area of Samserganj, had mysteriously disappeared on 28 August this year. His dismembered body was subsequently recovered. According to officials at the time, the former Chief Minister had stated that Mondal was killed with a meat-cutting knife.
Following investigations, police arrested three accused: Samiul Sheikh, Tajkira Bibi, and Johnny Sheikh. Sheikh's death on Tuesday leaves two of the three accused still in custody.
Allegations of Police Negligence
The murder case had already put the West Bengal police under scrutiny. Mondal's wife, Sumana Mondal, alleged that she had repeatedly approached the local police station after her husband's disappearance but received no assistance. The case subsequently triggered disciplinary action against several police officials, including suspensions, transfers, and departmental inquiries. The murder was described by a senior political figure as a 'major blunder.'
Two Encounters, One Day: A Rare Escalation
The twin encounter killings on the same day mark an unusual escalation in West Bengal. Earlier on Tuesday, Prahlad Das — accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas — was also killed in a police encounter. The back-to-back incidents are likely to intensify scrutiny of West Bengal police's handling of high-profile accused persons during custodial exercises, particularly scene-reconstruction operations.
With political tensions already elevated over the Sujit Mondal murder case and its ties to the BJP, rights advocates and opposition leaders are expected to demand independent inquiries into both encounters in the days ahead.
Point of View
Ordinarily, to create conditions for armed confrontation. The pattern of accused persons allegedly seizing weapons and firing at officers in both incidents, occurring hours apart and in different districts, will raise legitimate questions about whether standard custodial protocols were followed. The Sujit Mondal case also has a charged political dimension: he was a local BJP functionary, and the murder already exposed police inaction at the local station level. Independent oversight of both encounters is not just advisable — given the political and civil-liberties stakes, it is necessary.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Samiul Sheikh and why was he in CID custody?
Samiul Sheikh was one of three accused arrested in connection with the murder of local BJP leader Sujit Mondal in Samserganj, Murshidabad. He was in the custody of the West Bengal CID, which was investigating the case when the encounter occurred during a crime-scene reconstruction exercise on 27 October.
How did the Samserganj encounter take place?
According to officials, CID officers took Sheikh to the crime scene on Tuesday afternoon to reconstruct the murder. Sheikh reportedly snatched a firearm from an escorting officer and opened fire; the CID retaliated, critically injuring him. He was declared dead at Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital shortly after.
Who was Sujit Mondal and when did he disappear?
Sujit Mondal was a local BJP leader and resident of the Old Dakbanglo area of Samserganj who mysteriously disappeared on 28 August. His dismembered body was later found; police subsequently arrested Sheikh, Tajkira Bibi, and Johnny Sheikh in connection with the murder.
What was the first encounter that day and where did it happen?
Earlier on the same day — 27 October — Prahlad Das, an accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl, was killed in a police encounter in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas district. The Samserganj killing followed hours later, making it two encounter deaths in West Bengal on the same day.
What action was taken after Sujit Mondal's murder case came to light?
The case triggered allegations of police negligence after Mondal's wife, Sumana Mondal, said local police failed to respond when she reported her husband's disappearance. Several police officials faced disciplinary action, including suspensions, transfers, and departmental inquiries. A senior political figure described the incident as a 'major blunder.'
