Kolkata, 07 August (H.S.) : National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar on Friday said justice should always be delivered through the legal process, while commenting on the police encounter of a rape-and-murder accused in West Bengal's Baruipur.

Speaking to reporters after a public hearing programme in Howrah, Rahatkar said she did not support the idea of encounter killings and stressed that the rule of law must prevail.

The incident was extremely horrific and tragic. No girl should ever have to face such brutality. At the same time, justice should always be ensured through the proper legal process. I am not fully aware of the facts of this particular case, but I believe the police are discharging their responsibilities, she said.

The remarks come in the wake of last month's alleged rape and murder of a minor girl in Baruipur. One of the accused, Prabhat Mondal, was later killed in a police firing during the reconstruction of the crime scene.

According to the police, the accused allegedly snatched a firearm from a police officer and opened fire while attempting to escape, prompting the police to retaliate in self-defence. The encounter had triggered a political controversy in the state.

Rahatkar was in Howrah to attend a public grievance hearing organised at the District Magistrate's office, where the National Commission for Women heard complaints from 24 women.

She also referred to the RG Kar Hospital rape and murder case, saying the incident had deeply shaken the nation.

That incident touched every one of us. We can understand the pain of the victim's parents, and the Commission remains deeply concerned. Following the incident, we first held discussions with the police and later conveyed the parents' concerns to the CBI, Rahatkar said.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh