Bengal CM meets family of murdered girl, offers compensation to family of youth in Baruipur

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. File. | Photo credit: PTI

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday (July 11, 2026) visited Baruipur for the second time in a week and met family members of a 12-year-old girl who was sexually assaulted and killed and relatives of Indrajit Mondal, a youth murdered in the ensuing violence.

Mr. Adhikari offered ₹25 lakh to the Mondal family and offered a job to one of his family members. He also said that arrangements have been made for his father to be given old-age pension and his mother to be given assistance under the Annapurna Bhandar scheme.

The chief minister had earlier said that Mondal, the autorickshaw driver, was innocent and that those involved in his killing would be charged with murder. So far, 35 people have been arrested in connection with the case, including five more arrested today. “Indrajit’s death was not due to mob lynching, his identity was established even before he was murdered,” Mr. Adhikari said.

Talking about the violence, the chief minister said, “Those who were rejected in the elections could have instigated the violence. I also do not write off the presence of communal radical forces. It could also have been the result of an ultra-left conspiracy.”

Mr. Adhikari also met the family members of the 12-year-old girl and assured them of the government’s support. “I told the family that there will be a custodial trial of the culprits. The conviction will be monitored by the chief minister. We had certain responsibilities on behalf of the government. We stand by the family,” he said.

Appreciating the efforts of the Baruipur district police, Mr. Adhikari said the officers traced and arrested the accused from different parts of the state, including Bakkhali and Digha. The Chief Minister said that his government would ensure exemplary action in the case. “We will set a precedent. I will monitor everything,” he said.

The incidents in Baruipur turned out to be the first challenge to the Suvendu Adhikari government in terms of law and order. The crisis began when a 12-year-old girl went missing on July 4, 2026, and her family filed a missing persons complaint. After the body was found, widespread violence broke out in the area. The mob attacked police personnel, vandalized police vehicles and blocked roads and railway tracks. In the midst of the riots, Indrajit Mondal was killed by a mob.

One of the main accused in the sexual assault and murder case, Prabhas Mondal, was killed in a police encounter on Wednesday (July 8, 2026). The meeting has since come under scrutiny, with opposition parties and civil rights groups raising questions about the circumstances of the murder.

On Saturday, the chief minister also blamed the illegal sale of liquor and drug-related activities for contributing to the volatile situation and announced a nationwide crackdown.

“The Baruipur incident has both an action and a cause behind it. I believe the main reason behind such crimes is illegal liquor, cannabis, charas and drugs. Special action will be taken against them,” he said.

Published – 11 Jul 2026 13:43 IST