Police said the autopsy would determine the exact cause of death and whether she had been sexually assaulted.
A day after an 11-year-old girl went missing, police recovered her body in West Bengal’s South 24 Parganas district on Sunday. The incident triggered widespread protests and the lynching of a man on rape-murder charges.
According to police, the minor’s body was found stuffed inside a sack in the Surjyapur Haat area of Baruipur. The child’s death sparked outrage among locals who blocked the Baruipur-Joynagar Road, burnt tyres and vandalised police vehicles while demanding the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Four Arrested, Raids Underway
Inspector General of Police (Presidency Range) Kankarprasad Barui said an enraged mob beat a man to death on suspicion of his involvement in the girl’s death, PTI reported. Police have so far arrested four people in connection with the case.
The protest ended after Barui assured demonstrators that all those involved would be arrested and brought to justice.
“Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari called me up to take action against all the culprits, and they would be punished,” the officer told the protesters, while addressing them using a megaphone.
Barui also said he would meet the victim’s family on Tuesday and promised all possible assistance. “No one will be spared,” he added, while confirming that raids were underway to apprehend the remaining accused.
Teen’s Family Alleges Abduction
Further, the girl’s body was sent to Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital for a post-mortem examination. Police said the autopsy would determine the exact cause of death and whether she had been sexually assaulted.
Investigators said the girl had left her home on Saturday afternoon to buy a birthday gift for a friend. Meanwhile, her family has alleged that four people forcibly abducted her.
TMC Targets BJP Over Probe
Further, TMC MP Abhishek Banerjee criticised the BJP government in West Bengal, alleging that political connections were influencing the investigation.
“BJP came to Bengal promising women’s safety and security. Instead, every such incident raises fresh questions about its hollow promises,” he wrote on X.
“When justice becomes selective and outrage becomes political, it is not only the victim who suffers, it is society that pays the price,” he added.