The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the death of a 12-year-old girl in West Bengal’s Baruipur has arrested a second accused after overnight search operations, while three more people have been detained for questioning as investigators widen the probe.
The latest action comes a day after the first arrest in the case. Police are expected to produce both arrested persons before a district court on Monday and seek their custody to continue the investigation. Authorities have not disclosed the identities of either accused.
Overnight raids lead to second arrest
According to police sources, the breakthrough came after the first accused was questioned on Sunday evening.
An official from the Baruipur Police District said information gathered during the interrogation prompted multiple police teams to carry out overnight raids across different locations in the South 24 Parganas district.
The operation led to the arrest of another suspect and the detention of three others for questioning, the official said.
Autopsy report awaited
The girl’s body was recovered from a pond on Sunday morning after she had been reported missing since Saturday.
Her family has alleged that she was raped and murdered. However, police have not confirmed those allegations and said the exact cause of death and the circumstances surrounding the incident would become clear only after the post-mortem report is received.
Officials said the autopsy was completed on Sunday night. They added that any additional charges, including those related to sexual assault, would depend on the findings of the report.
Tension grips area after body recovered
The recovery of the girl’s body triggered tension in the locality on Sunday.
There were also allegations that an agitated mob beat a young man to death during the unrest.
A six-member SIT has been constituted to investigate the case.