The main accused in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl was shot dead by police in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district on Tuesday after allegedly snatching a police officer’s service revolver and opening fire at personnel, officers familiar with the matter said.
The accused, identified as Prahlad Das, was arrested on Sunday, hours after the body of the Class 11 student was recovered. The girl had gone missing on Saturday.
According to police, Das was taken to the crime scene in Gaighata at around 2.50am on Monday for a reconstruction of the crime. He allegedly attacked the police team while they were returning from the spot.
Accused allegedly opens fire at police
A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Das had confessed to the crime during interrogation and was taken to the location as part of the investigation.
“Das had confessed to the crime during interrogation and was taken to the spot for reconstruction of the crime. While the team was returning, he snatched the service revolver of a sub-inspector and fired at the police. Two policemen were injured. Police fired in self-defence, and Das was injured. He died at a hospital,” the officer said.
The two injured policemen were hurt during the alleged exchange of fire. Das sustained injuries after police fired in self-defence and was taken to a hospital, where he died.
Second such incident in West Bengal in three months
The incident is the second case in West Bengal in three months in which an accused in a rape and murder case was shot dead by police after allegedly snatching an officer’s firearm and opening fire.
In July, an accused in the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, in South 24 Parganas district, was shot dead by police under similar circumstances. He had allegedly snatched a police officer’s gun and fired at personnel when he was taken to the crime scene.
The latest incident comes amid the investigation into the killing of the Class 11 student in Gaighata, with police having arrested Das on Sunday before taking him to the crime scene for reconstruction.