Kolkata: One of the principal accused in the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal was killed in a police firing during a crime scene reconstruction exercise in the early hours of Wednesday, officials said.
According to police, the accused was brought to Suryapur in Baruipur to assist investigators in recreating the sequence of events linked to the case. During the exercise, he allegedly attempted to escape after snatching a firearm from a police personnel.
Officials claimed that the accused fired at the police team while trying to flee, prompting officers to retaliate. He suffered bullet injuries during the exchange and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead by doctors.
Investigators said the deceased was considered a crucial figure in the probe. CCTV footage had allegedly shown him accompanying the victim shortly before the alleged crime, making him one of the primary suspects in the case.
Police maintained that the firing occurred in response to the accused’s alleged attack on the team and was carried out in self-defence. Authorities are now examining all circumstances surrounding the encounter in accordance with legal procedures.
The case has drawn significant public attention since the alleged rape and murder of the minor girl came to light. While the death of the accused marks a major development in the investigation, police said the probe into the case remains ongoing and efforts are continuing to establish the complete sequence of events and the involvement of any other individuals.
