Special investigation team arrests main suspect in 12‑year‑old girl’s rape‑murder

In a development that has drawn nationwide attention, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of West Bengal’s police confirmed the arrest of Anand Sarkar, the prime suspect in the rape and murder of a 12‑year‑old girl in Baruiapur, South 24‑Parganas. The operation took place on Monday afternoon in the Baruiapur market area, following a detailed investigation that had linked Sarkar to the crime from its inception.

The SIT had previously detained two co‑accused, Pravas Mandal and Divakar Sardar, completing the list of individuals now facing trial. All three suspects are set to appear before the South 24‑Parganas District Court, where the state’s prosecutors will seek police custody to prevent any tampering with evidence and to expedite the judicial process.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari publicly pledged that the government will pursue the “harshest possible punishment,” including the death penalty, for those found guilty. He described the case as “one of the most heinous crimes” and assured the victim’s family that the administration will act decisively.

In addition to the crime, the chief minister highlighted a recent mob lynching that resulted in a civilian’s death, suggesting a communal motive behind the violence. He also recalled the vandalism of railway tracks during Sunday’s protest, likening it to the 2019 anti‑CAA demonstrations and recent unrest over the Waqf Amendment Bill. Two Central Reserve Police Force personnel were injured, and a police vehicle was set alight.

The girl’s body was recovered from a pond on Sunday morning, and her relatives maintain that she was sexually assaulted before being killed. To mitigate the risk of further disturbances, Baruiapur police enacted a Section 163 prohibition order under the Indian Citizens’ Security Code, 2023, covering three neighboring police stations.