Kolkata, 14 July (H.S.): Investigators on Tuesday took three arrested accused to the crime scene for reconstruction of events in the Baruipur gang rape and murder case, days after one of the accused was killed in a police encounter and changes were made in the investigating team at Suryapur police station.

The reconstruction was carried out near Suryapur railway station, where the crime allegedly took place in a marshy, densely vegetated area. Senior police officers, CID officials and forensic experts were present during the exercise.

The development comes as the CID has launched an inquiry into the police encounter in which one of the accused was killed. The agency is examining the circumstances that led to the police opening fire.

According to the police, the accused allegedly snatched a revolver from a police officer's pocket, fired one round and attempted to escape while being taken for crime scene reconstruction in the early hours of Tuesday. Police claimed they fired in self-defence, leaving the accused critically injured. He was taken to Baruipur Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His family later refused to accept the body.

The police had earlier arrested two prime accused in the case on charges of gang rape and murder. Investigators have also alleged that they were involved in illegal narcotics trade in the area. A third accused was arrested on the morning of the encounter.

The three surviving accused were brought to the crime scene around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday for reconstruction as part of the ongoing investigation.

The investigation into both the crime and the encounter remains underway.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey