Kolkata, 08 July (H.S.): Police have disclosed the identities of the two officers involved in the incident that led to the death of Prabhas Mondal, the principal accused in the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur. According to police sources, Mondal allegedly snatched the service revolver of Sub-Inspector Rony Sarkar during a crime scene reconstruction late Tuesday night, following which police officer Arghya Mondal opened fire in self-defence and to protect fellow officers.

Police said the accused was taken to the crime scene shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Tuesday for reconstruction of the alleged offence. During the exercise, he allegedly grabbed the service revolver of Sub-Inspector Rony Sarkar, the Circle Inspector of Canning Police Circle, fired one round, and attempted to flee. Police said Arghya Mondal responded by opening fire to stop the accused and prevent further danger.

According to police sources, Arghya Mondal, a 2014-batch police officer, is currently in charge of the Anti-Goonda Section of Baruipur Police Station. He has previously served in Jaynagar, Sonarpur and Kultali police stations and has also headed the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Baruipur.

Sub-Inspector Rony Sarkar is currently posted in the Anti-Goonda Section of Canning Police Station. He began his career as a constable before being promoted to the rank of Sub-Inspector. During his service, he has been posted at several police stations, including Narendrapur, Baruipur, Jaynagar and Bakultala. During the Assembly elections, when law and order was under the supervision of the Election Commission, he also served as the Officer-in-Charge of Bakultala Police Station.

Police said Prabhas Mondal sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and was immediately taken to Baruipur Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Senior officials of the Baruipur Police District said all mandatory legal procedures have been initiated and an investigation into the incident is underway. Police have maintained that their account is based on the preliminary findings of the investigation and that the matter will be examined in accordance with law.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh