The body of the minor girl was recovered from the Surjyapur Haat area in Baruipur, nearly a day after she was reported missing. According to police, the body was found stuffed inside a sack, sending shockwaves across the district and sparking anger among local residents.
The victim had reportedly left her home on Saturday (July 4) afternoon to purchase a birthday gift for a friend. When she failed to return, her family launched a search and later approached the police.
Family members have alleged that the girl was forcibly abducted by four individuals before her death.
Massive Protests Rock Baruipur
News of the girl’s death led to large-scale protests in the area. Hundreds of residents took to the streets, blocking the busy Baruipur-Joynagar Road and demanding the immediate arrest and punishment of those responsible.
Protesters burnt tyres, raised slogans and vandalised police vehicles as anger spilled onto the streets. The situation remained tense for several hours before senior police officers intervened and assured residents that swift action would be taken.
Suspect Lynched by Furious Mob
As outrage mounted, an enraged mob allegedly beat a man to death on suspicion of involvement in the girl’s death.
Inspector General of Police (Presidency Range) Kankarprasad Barui confirmed the incident and appealed to residents to maintain calm while allowing investigators to carry out their work.
The lynching has added another dimension to the case, with authorities now probing both the murder of the minor and the subsequent mob violence.
Four Arrested, Raids Continue
Police have so far arrested four people in connection with the case. Officials said raids are underway to trace and apprehend other suspects who may have been involved.
Addressing protesters through a megaphone, IG Barui assured them that all accused persons would be brought to justice.
He said no one connected to the crime would be spared and promised that law enforcement agencies would pursue the investigation until every individual involved was identified and arrested.
The assurance eventually helped calm the protesters, leading to the withdrawal of the road blockade.
Post-Mortem to Determine Cause of Death
The victim’s body has been sent to the Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital for a post-mortem examination.
Police said the autopsy report will determine the exact cause of death and establish whether the child was subjected to sexual assault before being killed.
Investigators are awaiting forensic findings, which are expected to play a crucial role in establishing the sequence of events and strengthening the prosecution’s case.
SIT Constituted for Investigation
Amid growing public concern, authorities have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct a detailed probe into the case.
Senior police officers said the investigation would examine all aspects of the incident, including the family’s allegations of abduction, the circumstances leading to the girl’s death and the role of each accused.
The SIT is also expected to coordinate with forensic experts and gather digital and physical evidence.
The incident has triggered political reactions across West Bengal.
Trinamool Congress National General Secretary and MP Abhishek Banerjee criticised the BJP, alleging that political considerations were influencing investigations into crimes against women and children.
In a post on social media platform X, Banerjee said repeated incidents involving women and children raised serious questions about commitments made on safety and security.
He argued that selective outrage and politicisation of criminal cases undermine public confidence in justice and harm society as a whole.
Saayoni Ghosh Condemns Incident
TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh strongly condemned the killing and expressed solidarity with the victim’s family.
She said she had spoken with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, who assured her that he was personally monitoring the case and that the accused would face strict action.
Ghosh also confirmed that an SIT had been formed and arrests were already being made.
Expressing condolences to the bereaved family, she said justice must be delivered swiftly while urging citizens to maintain peace and allow the legal process to take its course.
Appeal Against Mob Justice
While condemning the murder of the child, Ghosh also appealed for restraint and warned against taking the law into one’s own hands.
She stressed that mob violence has no place in a civilised society and that those responsible for the crime should be punished through due process under the law.
Authorities have likewise urged residents to cooperate with investigators and refrain from acts of vigilante justice.
With four arrests made, one suspect lynched and forensic examinations underway, the investigation remains active. Police officials have said further arrests are likely as the SIT expands its probe into the circumstances surrounding the child’s death.
