Kolkata, July 9 (IANS) The West Bengal government on Thursday entrusted the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to probe and submit a report on the encounter killing of Pravas Mondal, one of the four persons accused in the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl at Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district.

At the same time, an insider from the state secretariat of Nabanna said that a judicial probe as per norms has already been initiated into the matter, which will continue.

Mandal was killed in a police encounter early Wednesday morning after he tried to escape by snatching the firearm of an escorting cop. Mondal also fired at the police personnel. Sub-inspector Arghya Mondal resorted to counter-firing, in which the accused was killed.

The state secretariat insider also explained the reason for conducting a separate CID probe into the encounter incident.

“The scene of the encounter is under the jurisdiction of Baruipur Police District in South 24 Parganas district. The cops involved in the encounter are attached to the Baruipur Police District. Hence, any officer or SIT of Baruipur Police District cannot be entrusted with conducting a probe into the matter as per norms. So, CID has been entrusted to investigate the matter and submit a report. Similarly, as per legal provision, a judicial probe into a case of any encounter is also mandatory. That judicial probe has already been initiated and will continue in a parallel manner,” the state government official explained.

It is learnt that Mondal was killed by two bullets fired by the police officer, which the Baruipur Police District had claimed was done in self-defence. One of the bullets had hit the right side of the chest of the accused, and the other just above his waist.

He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead. Mondal’s family members, including his mother and wife, have claimed that considering the nature of the crime committed by him, he deserved such a punishment. They also denied receiving his body from the police after the autopsy.

–IANS

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