Gaighata rape-murder accused Prahlad Das killed in Bengal Police encounter
Synopsis
For the second time in months, West Bengal Police have killed a rape-murder accused during a scene reconstruction exercise — this time at Gaighata in North 24 Parganas. The near-identical circumstances of the Baruipur encounter in July raise serious questions about a pattern, even as the 17-year-old victim's family awaits justice.
Key Takeaways
Prahlad Das , accused in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas , was killed in a police encounter on the night of 27 October 2026 .
Das allegedly snatched an escorting officer's firearm during a scene reconstruction exercise and fired at police, who retaliated.
He was declared dead at a state-run hospital after being rushed there with critical injuries.
The incident closely mirrors the Baruipur encounter in July 2026 , where accused Pravas Mondal was killed under near-identical circumstances.
The victim had gone missing on the night of 24 October after leaving a musical programme, and her body was found the next morning near a relative's house.
West Bengal Police had not issued an official statement as of Tuesday morning; tension prompted large police deployment at the hospital.
Prahlad Das, the accused in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old minor girl at Gaighata in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, was killed in a police encounter on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The incident occurred while Das was being taken to the crime scene for reconstruction of events following his arrest.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to sources aware of the development, police had taken Das to the crime spot late at night for a scene reconstruction exercise. During the process, the accused allegedly snatched the firearm of an escorting police officer and opened fire at the personnel.
The escorting officers retaliated with counter-fire, leaving Das critically injured. He was immediately rushed to a nearby state-run hospital, where he was declared dead. The West Bengal Police are yet to issue an official statement on the encounter.
A Pattern West Bengal Has Seen Before
This incident is strikingly similar to a prior case at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas in July 2026, where Pravas Mondal — one of the prime accused in a comparable rape and murder of a minor girl — was killed under nearly identical circumstances. In that instance as well, Mondal was taken to the crime spot for scene reconstruction, allegedly snatched an escorting officer's weapon, fired at police, and was shot dead in retaliatory fire.
The near-identical sequence of events in both cases has drawn scrutiny, with critics raising questions about due process and the circumstances surrounding such encounters involving accused in high-profile rape-murder cases.
The Crime: What Happened to the Victim
On Monday morning, the body of the 17-year-old girl was recovered near a relative's house in Gaighata. According to her family, the victim had gone out with family members and friends on the night of 24 October to attend a musical programme near her home, which continued till late at night.
Around midnight, the girl reportedly received a call on her mobile phone and left the venue alone. She did not return. When the programme concluded, her family began searching for her but could not locate her. Her body was recovered the following morning.
On the basis of a complaint from her family, Das — described as a relative of the victim — was first detained for questioning and subsequently arrested. The family's allegation pointed to him as the perpetrator.
Tension in Gaighata After the Death
Following news of Das's death, his family members rushed to the hospital on Tuesday morning, triggering a tense situation in the area. A large number of police personnel were deployed at the hospital premises to maintain order and prevent any untoward incident.
As the state police await further developments, the encounter killing is likely to face judicial and public scrutiny in the days ahead — particularly given its near-identical replication of the Baruipur precedent.
Point of View
Two scene reconstruction exercises, two snatched firearms, two deaths — the Gaighata encounter is a near-verbatim repeat of Baruipur. When a pattern this precise repeats itself, it demands scrutiny beyond the official narrative. West Bengal Police's silence in both cases is itself a signal. The broader concern is not just legal due process — it is whether encounters have become an extrajudicial template for closing politically sensitive rape-murder cases in the state, bypassing trials that might sustain public pressure. Courts and civil society cannot afford to treat these as isolated incidents.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Prahlad Das and what was he accused of?
Prahlad Das was accused of raping and murdering a 17-year-old minor girl at Gaighata in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. He was reportedly a relative of the victim and was arrested after her family named him in a complaint.
How was Prahlad Das killed?
According to sources, Das was taken to the crime scene for reconstruction on the intervening night of Monday and Tuesday. He allegedly snatched a police officer's firearm and fired at the escorting personnel, who retaliated. Das was critically injured and later declared dead at a state-run hospital.
Has this type of encounter happened before in West Bengal?
Yes. In July 2026, accused Pravas Mondal was killed in a near-identical encounter at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas, also during a scene reconstruction exercise. The sequence of events in both cases — snatched firearm, firing at police, death in retaliatory fire — is strikingly similar.
What happened to the victim in the Gaighata case?
The 17-year-old girl attended a musical programme near her home on the night of 24 October. She reportedly received a phone call around midnight, left the venue alone, and did not return. Her body was recovered near a relative's house the following morning.
What is the situation in Gaighata following the encounter?
Tension escalated in the area after news of Das's death spread on Tuesday morning, with his family members arriving at the hospital. A large police contingent was deployed at the hospital premises to maintain order. West Bengal Police had not issued an official statement as of Tuesday.
