Bengal Rape Case Accused Shot Dead In Encounter

Prabhash Mondol, one of the accused in the gangrape-murder of an 11-year-old in West Bengal’s Baruipur, was shot dead in an encounter after midnight. According to a police statement, a police team took Mondol to the crime scene last night to reconstruct the crime as part of the probe. At the crime scene, police said, the accused snatched the firearm of a policeman, fired one round at the police party and tried to escape. The police opened fire in retaliation. Mondal was injured and immediately shifted to a hospital, where he was declared dead, the police said in the statement.

Located about 30 km from Kolkata, Baruipur in Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district has been on the edge after the body of an 11-year-old girl was found dumped in a pond on Sunday. An autopsy has confirmed sexual assault and police have registered a case under charges of murder and gangrape. The stringent Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act has also been invoked. Three people were arrested in connection with the heinous crime. And in a chilling development, a man suspected of being involved in the heinous crime was lynched.

Ravik Bhattacharya is a highly experienced and award-winning journalist currently serving as the Chief of Bureau of The Indian Express, Kolkata. With over 20 years of experience in the media industry, Ravik possesses deep expertise across a wide range of critical subjects and geographical areas. Experience & Authority Current Role: Chief of Bureau, The Indian Express, Kolkata. Expertise: Extensive reporting across West Bengal, Odisha, Assam, and the Andaman Nicobar Islands. Ravik specializes in politics, crime, major incidents and issues, and investigative stories, demonstrating a robust command of complex and sensitive subjects. Experience: His long and distinguished career includes key reporting roles at several prestigious publications, including The Asian Age, The Statesman, The Telegraph, and The Hindustan Times. Ravik's current role marks his second stint with The Indian Express, having previously served as a Principal Correspondent in the Kolkata bureau from 2005 to 2010. Major Award: Ravik's authority and quality of work are substantiated by his winning of the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2007 for Political Reporting. Education: His strong academic foundation includes a Bachelor's degree with English Honours from Scottish Church College under Calcutta University, and a PG Diploma in Mass Communication from Jadavpur University. Ravik Bhattacharya's extensive tenure, specialized beat coverage, and notable award confirm his status as a trusted and authoritative voice in Indian journalism, particularly for stories emanating from Eastern India. ... Read More