Bengal rape-murder case ends in police encounter, accused killed during crime scene reconstruction
The prime accused in the rape and murder of a Class XI student in West Bengal’s Gaighata died in a police encounter late on Monday night, in circumstances strikingly similar to the killing of an accused in a rape-murder case in Baruipur in July this year.
The accused, identified as 23-year-old Prahlad Das, was allegedly shot dead after he snatched a police officer’s service revolver, opened fire at the police team and attempted to flee while being taken for a crime scene reconstruction, according to police sources.
Two police personnel were also reportedly injured in the incident. Police said the team was returning after recreating the sequence of events at the crime scene when Prahlad allegedly snatched a service revolver from one of the officers and fired at the police vehicle.
One police officer reportedly jumped into a nearby canal to save himself. The police then allegedly opened fire in self-defence, hitting Prahlad.
He collapsed at the spot and was taken to Bongaon Super Speciality Hospital in a bloodied condition, where doctors declared him dead.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged snatching of the revolver and the subsequent exchange of fire have raised questions. Prahlad’s body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, police said.
Following the incident, members of the accused’s family reached the hospital and expressed their anger. Police deployed a large contingent to maintain law and order. The police have not yet issued an official statement on the incident.
Gaighata rape-murder case: What happened?
Police say the case dates back to Saturday night, when the Class XI student attended a function near her home. She reportedly left the event after receiving a phone call but did not return home that night.
On Sunday morning, her mutilated, unclothed body was recovered from outside a neighbour’s house. Police subsequently arrested Prahlad Das, a 23-year-old local resident, on allegations of involvement in the crime.
Baruipur incident draws parallels
The Gaighata encounter has drawn comparisons with a similar incident in Baruipur in July this year. In that case, the prime accused in the rape and murder of a minor girl, identified as Prabhas Mondal, was also killed in police firing.
According to reports at the time, police had taken Prabhas to the crime scene for reconstruction when he allegedly snatched a police officer’s revolver and attempted to escape after opening fire.
The police retaliated, and he died after being hit by bullets. The striking similarities between the two incidents have brought renewed attention to the circumstances surrounding police encounters during crime scene reconstructions.