West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday visited the Baruipur Superintendent of Police (SP) office to review administrative and legal actions following the alleged rape and murder of a minor that has sparked widespread outrage.
During the visit, Adhikari held detailed meetings with the victim’s family as well as the family of Indrajit Mondal, a youth who was lynched by an agitated mob in the aftermath of the incident. After the meetings, he asserted that while the main accused have already been arrested, strict action would also be taken against those involved in mob violence, vandalism and those who allegedly instigated unrest.
In the presence of DGP Siddhnath Gupta, Adhikari set a 72-hour deadline for a comprehensive probe into allegations of police inaction. He warned that any negligence would invite stringent action.
Taking a firm stance on the mob violence, Adhikari said, citing police findings, that Mondal was “completely innocent” and had no involvement in the crime. “This is based on the preliminary investigation by the police. I have also met his bereaved family,” he said.
He also condemned the vandalism of police vehicles and the uprooting of railway tracks during the protests, stating that around 200 people involved in the violence have been identified through CCTV and video footage. Orders have been issued for their immediate arrest.
Adhikari alleged that “anti-national forces” and political elements had instigated the unrest from behind the scenes, adding that the Special Task Force (STF) is examining call records and other evidence.
On the issue of compensation, Adhikari said the matter has been left to the discretion of the affected families, who have submitted their demands. He said he would revisit Baruipur next week to review those demands and meet both families again.
Responding to demands from the victim’s family, he also announced that instructions have been issued to set up a new police outpost in Suryapur at the earliest. Authorities have been directed to make the outpost operational immediately, even from rented premises, before a permanent structure is built. The formal inauguration is expected during his next visit.
Adhikari also held discussions with local political representatives at the SP office, including TMC MP Saayoni Ghosh and TMC MLA and former Assembly Speaker Biman Banerjee. He said that following detailed discussions, they expressed satisfaction with the steps taken so far by the administration.
Additionally, BJP leaders including Roopa Ganguly, Bikarna Naskar, and Debasish Dhar met Adhikari to present their views. He briefed them on the progress of the investigation and the future course of police action.
Connecting virtually with police stations across the state from Baruipur, Adhikari issued strict directives to law enforcement agencies to prevent such incidents. He instructed all police stations to adhere strictly to provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with guidelines from the Supreme Court, the National Commission for Women, the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, the POCSO Act, and human rights authorities.
Reviewing the sequence of events, he noted that a missing person diary had been filed at 11:50 pm on the night before the incident. The roles of officials, including the Suryapur Camp In-charge, the then Inspector-in-Charge of Baruipur police station, the SDPO and the Additional SP are now under scrutiny. The Director General of Police has been directed to submit a detailed administrative report within 72 hours.
Adhikari reiterated that even the slightest negligence would not be tolerated. “If even 1 percent lapse is found on the part of any officer, strictest action will be taken. It is my responsibility to uphold the trust the victim’s family has placed in us,” he said.
Also read: Bengal minor's autopsy points to rape, forced drowning in pond
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