Kolkata: The murder and rape of a 12 year old Muslim girl child in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, has triggered political debate in West Bengal, with opposition leaders and critics questioning whether the response to the case has matched the attention given to the 2024 RG Kar Medical College case.
According to the report, the child left her home on July 4 to buy a birthday gift for a friend and did not return. Her body was recovered the following day from a village pond. The incident sparked protests across the district, with demonstrations disrupting road and rail traffic. During the unrest, an angry crowd killed a local resident after suspecting him of involvement. The state’s Chief Minister later stated the man was innocent.
Police formed a Special Investigation Team under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the POCSO Act. The report states that the prime accused, Prabhash Mondal, died during a police operation after officers alleged he attempted to escape by seizing a service weapon. The article also refers to allegations from critics who questioned whether the development affected further investigation into claims involving others.
The report states that former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee accused the government of preventing her from visiting the victim’s family after police placed barricades outside her residence. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denied placing her under house arrest and said no one had been stopped from meeting the family.
The article further claims the case has received less media and political attention than the RG Kar case. It cites opposition leaders and political analysts who argued that the victim’s identity and social background influenced the level of public focus.
The report concludes by calling for equal attention and justice in crimes against women, regardless of religion, economic background or political circumstances.
Story by India Tomorrow
