As the the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal intensified its response to the Baruipur rape-murder case after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s visit to the area, the case has now been handed over to a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer.
On Sunday, police confirmed that DSP (District Enforcement Branch) Shantanu Mukhopadhyay of Baruipur Police District has been appointed as the new investigating officer (IO) in the case.
The case was initially investigated by police officer Diganta Mondal before the responsibility was transferred to Jayanta Poddar, the former inspector-in-charge of Baruipur police station.
Police sources said the new investigating officer would review all evidence collected so far and oversee further investigation. Several accused have already been arrested in connection with the alleged rape and murder, while the investigation remains in progress.
The development comes a day after Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari visited the family of the minor victim and also met the relatives of Indrajit Mondal, who was allegedly lynched by a mob in the aftermath of the incident.
During the visit on Saturday, the chief minister assured both families that the investigation would be carried out swiftly and that his government would adopt a zero-tolerance approach against those responsible.
The total number of arrests related to the lynching case has reached seven, with the latest two being apprended by police on Saturday, after Adhikari’s visit to the place. Those arrested have been identified as Faruk Sardar, Rajesh Sardar, Shariful Mallik, Sabiuddin Baidya, Farid Sheikh, Abu Siddik Sardar and Shamim Ali Khan. According to police sources, more arrests are likely as the investigation progresses.
Speaking after meeting Indrajit Mondal’s family, Adhikari maintained that the victim of the mob attack was innocent and alleged that he had been targeted because of his identity. He claimed that the 35-year-old unmarried man was tied up and beaten to death by the mob.
The Chief Minister further alleged that political elements rejected by the electorate had instigated the violence. He said all individuals identified in video footage had been arrested, adding that some of the accused were traced and brought back from Bakkhali and Digha.
The state government has announced financial assistance of Rs 25 lakh for Indrajit Mondal’s family. His elder brother has also been offered employment as a civic volunteer, while the administration has undertaken repairs to the family’s house, Adhikari said.