Baruipur encounter sparks political row in Bengal; BJP calls it 'Divine Justice', TMC terms it 'Jungle Law'

A fresh political confrontation has erupted in West Bengal after the alleged encounter killing of Prabhas Mondal, one of the prime accused in the Baruipur rape and murder case. While the ruling BJP defended the police action as "divine justice", the opposition Trinamool Congress (TMC) condemned it as "jungle law" and questioned the circumstances surrounding the encounter.

According to the police, Mondal was killed during a crime scene reconstruction exercise after he allegedly snatched a firearm from a police officer and attempted to escape. Police claimed they opened fire in self-defence following retaliatory firing by the accused. The incident marked the first reported police encounter since the BJP government assumed office in West Bengal in May.

BJP spokesperson Debjit Sarkar described the encounter as "divine justice" in a social media post, while state BJP president Samik Bhattacharya said the government was committed to a zero-tolerance policy against crimes against women. He said the BJP was fulfilling its promise of ensuring strict action against rapists and criminals.

Bhattacharya also renewed the party's demand to reopen the 2013 Kamduni gang rape and murder case, alleging that the previous TMC government mishandled the investigation. He claimed justice had been denied to the victim and urged the state government to take fresh legal action.

TMC leaders, however, strongly criticised the encounter. MP Mahua Moitra questioned the role of the West Bengal Police, alleging that the state was witnessing a "Bengal-Uttar Pradesh 2.0" model of policing. Senior TMC leader Saugata Roy termed the incident "the worst form of police brutality" and called for an independent inquiry into the encounter.

Roy noted that the encounter took place within 72 hours of the Director General of Police being asked to submit a report on the Baruipur case, raising questions over the sequence of events. He alleged that the government had lost control over the police and accused it of adopting the "Yogi model" of law enforcement.

Meanwhile, activists associated with the Kamduni movement welcomed the police action. Mousumi Kayal called it the "beginning of Asur Vadh" (slaying of the demon), saying it brought a sense of justice after years of waiting. Another activist, Tumpa Kayal, alleged that the previous government had failed to ensure justice in the Kamduni case and said tougher action against offenders was necessary.

The alleged encounter has intensified the political battle over law and order in West Bengal, with both the BJP and TMC accusing each other of failing to deliver justice while using the Baruipur case to reinforce their competing narratives on public safety.