Baruipur rape-murder: CPI(M) leader held for violence says police action ‘politically motivated’

CPI(M) leader Lahek Ali, who was arrested a day earlier in connection with violence that erupted during a protest against the rape and murder of a girl in West Bengal’s Baruipur city on Monday (13 Jul 2026), said the police action was “politically motivated”.

Police alleged that Mr. Ali incited protesters who lynched men and vandalized police vehicles, set fire to tires and blocked roads, disrupting normal life in the area after the body of a minor was fished out of a pond in Surjjapur on July 5.

“My arrest is politically motivated and I was not involved in violence,” Mr Ali said when he was produced before the Baruipur court.

The defendant was seen wearing a helmet when he was brought to court.

Mr. Ali is the first political leader to be arrested in connection with the violence that broke out in a locality in the Baruipur police station area of ​​South 24 Parganas district on July 5.

He contested the 2026 West Bengal elections from the Baruipur Paschim constituency as a CPI(M) candidate.

The unrest followed the recovery of the body of an 11-year-old girl from a pond a day after she went missing.

Minister of State Dilip Ghosh said those involved in inciting violence and destroying public property should face legal action.

CPI(M) State Secretary Mohammed Salim condemned Mr Ali’s arrest, saying the police were targeting the protesters and not those responsible for the crime.

“Instead of arresting criminals, the police are arresting those who protested the incident,” Mr Salim said, describing the arrests as “planned”.

CPI(M) senior leader Sujan Chakraborty also termed Mr. Ali’s arrest as “politically motivated”.

Published – 13 Jul 2026 13:48 IST