Bengal girl murder: Fourth accused Kabir Molla arrested in Basirhat
Synopsis
The SIT probing the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur has made its fourth arrest — Kabir Molla, nabbed from Basirhat after days of absconding. With one accused already killed in an encounter, an innocent man lynched in protest violence, and 20 more arrested for rioting, this case has spiralled into one of West Bengal's most volatile crime episodes in recent memory.
Key Takeaways
Kabir Molla arrested from Basirhat, North 24 Parganas on 8 July as the fourth accused in the Baruipur minor girl rape-murder case .
The victim, a 12-year-old girl , was allegedly raped and murdered; her body was recovered from a pond in Suryapur, Baruipur .
First accused Pravas Mondal was killed in a police encounter on Wednesday after allegedly snatching an officer's rifle.
Dibakar Sardar and alleged mastermind Ananda Sardar remain in police custody.
Indrajit Tanti , 26, was killed in a mob lynching during protests — later confirmed innocent by the Chief Minister.
At least 20 people arrested for violence and vandalism during post-discovery protests.
A Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, has arrested a fourth accused, identified as Kabir Molla, from Basirhat in North 24 Parganas district on 8 July. Kabir had reportedly been absconding since the crime took place, and was apprehended in the early hours of the morning.
Key Developments in the Case
The victim's body was recovered from a pond in the Suryapur area of Baruipur on Sunday. The discovery triggered widespread tension in the region. Since then, four persons have been arrested in connection with the case.
The first accused, Pravas Mondal, was killed in a police encounter early Wednesday morning after he allegedly snatched a service rifle from an escorting officer and attempted to flee. The other two accused — Dibakar Sardar and Ananda Sardar — remain in police custody, with Ananda Sardar identified by investigators as the prime accused and alleged mastermind.
Kabir Molla is scheduled to be produced before a district court in South 24 Parganas later in the day, where the public prosecutor is expected to seek police custody remand.
Chief Minister's Visit and Zero Tolerance Stance
West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari visited Baruipur on Tuesday and chaired a high-level meeting with senior police officials at the Baruipur District Police headquarters. Following the meeting, he declared that the police and administration have adopted a 'zero tolerance' policy in the matter.
Adhikari also announced that police have launched a parallel investigation into violence that erupted on Sunday in the name of protest following the recovery of the body. 'Some people have been identified through the video. None of them will be spared,' the Chief Minister said.
Post-Protest Violence and Mob Lynching
The unrest that followed the body's discovery turned deadly. A 26-year-old man, Indrajit Tanti, was killed in a mob lynching amid the chaos. However, the Chief Minister on Tuesday confirmed that subsequent police investigation established that Tanti was innocent — a disclosure that has deepened public anger over the episode.
Following Adhikari's Tuesday evening announcement, at least 20 people have been arrested on charges of attacking police personnel and vandalising vehicles during the protests, according to police.
Investigation Status and What Comes Next
The SIT continues to probe all angles of the case. With the fourth arrest now made, investigators are expected to seek further custody to establish the full chain of events and any additional accused. The court's decision on Kabir Molla's remand will be a key procedural step in the coming hours.
Point of View
A custodial encounter death, and the lynching of an innocent bystander. The confirmation that Indrajit Tanti was innocent — delivered by the Chief Minister days after his death — raises urgent questions about the administration's initial response to the protests. A 'zero tolerance' declaration from the Chief Minister is politically necessary, but the credibility of the SIT probe will hinge on whether the trial process is expedited and whether accountability for Tanti's lynching is pursued with the same urgency as the primary case.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kabir Molla and why was he arrested?
Kabir Molla is the fourth person arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas. He had reportedly been absconding since the crime and was apprehended from Basirhat in North 24 Parganas on 8 July.
What happened to the other accused in the Baruipur case?
Of the four accused arrested so far, Pravas Mondal was killed in a police encounter on Wednesday after allegedly attempting to escape by snatching a service rifle. Dibakar Sardar and Ananda Sardar — the latter identified as the alleged mastermind — remain in police custody. Kabir Molla is to be produced in court on 8 July.
Who was Indrajit Tanti and what happened to him?
Indrajit Tanti, a 26-year-old man, was killed in a mob lynching during protests that erupted after the victim's body was found. West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari subsequently confirmed that police investigation established Tanti was innocent, making his death a significant miscarriage of justice during the unrest.
What action has the West Bengal government taken in this case?
Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari visited Baruipur on Tuesday, chaired a police meeting, and announced a 'zero tolerance' policy. Police have also arrested at least 20 people for violence and vandalism during the protests, and a parallel investigation into the unrest is underway.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The SIT is actively investigating the case. Four arrests have been made, one accused has died in an encounter, and Kabir Molla is to appear before a South 24 Parganas district court on 8 July for a custody hearing. Investigators are expected to seek further remand to establish the full chain of events.
