WB CM Suvendu Adhikari rejects lynching tag for man's death in violence after girl's rape, murder; gives his kin job

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday refused to describe Indrajit Mondal's killing after the recovery of the raped 11-year-old girl's body as a lynching, saying his identity had been established before the "murder".

He also alleged that radical communal forces or those rejected in the polls could have had a hand in the violence that erupted in South 24 Parganas district's Baruipur after the girl's body stuffed in a sack was found in a pond.

Adhikari made the comments after handing over a job letter and a Rs 25 lakh cheque to the kin of the lynched man. Before that, he met the girl's parents at their house and assured them of all assistance.


He had earlier said that Mondal, an auto-rickshaw driver, was innocent and those involved in his lynching would be charged for murder. Five people have so far been arrested in connection with the case.

"Indrajit's death was not because of mob lynching; his identity was established before he was murdered," the chief minister said, adding that he has handed over an appointment letter for the post of civic volunteer to Mondal's elder brother and a Rs 25 lakh cheque to his parents.

"Those rejected in elections could have instigated the violence. Also, I am not writing off the presence of communal radical forces. Investigation will uncover the truth, and action will be taken against everyone involved," he said and pointed out that those who could be identified in photographs or video footage have been arrested.

Indrajit Mondal's elder brother Bapi Mondal said, "The chief minister has assured us of all help. He gave me the appointment letter and asked me to join the job. This is an appointment letter for a civic volunteer at the Baruipur Police District."

On his meeting with the family of the girl raped and murdered, Adhikari said police acted on the complaint lodged. "The family had named four persons in their complaint, and all four have been arrested. Those found guilty will get exemplary punishment."

He inaugurated the newly established Surjapur Rural Police Outpost under the Baruipur Police District during his visit to the area.

The body of the minor, who had gone missing on July 4, was found stuffed in a sack in Surjapur Haat area the next day, triggering a protest by locals who blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burnt tyres and damaged a few police vehicles, demanding the arrest of the accused persons.

Hours after the girl's body was recovered on Sunday, a man was beaten to death by angry locals on suspicion of involvement in the girl's death.

Four people were arrested in connection with the rape-murder case. Out of the four, Prabash Mondal was killed in a police encounter while he allegedly tried to snatch the gun of one of the police officers who took him to the spot for reconstruction of the crime scene late Tuesday night.

Police have arrested over 35 people for their alleged involvement in the vandalism that followed after the girl's body was found.