Neutral NewsPolice in Bongaon, West Bengal, shot and killed a rape and murder suspect during a crime scene reconstruction, according to local authorities.
Prahlad Das, 23, died during a police encounter in Bongaon, West Bengal, on October 27, 2026.
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The Hindu National
Prahlad Das, 23, died during a police encounter in Bongaon, West Bengal, on October 27, 2026. Authorities accused Das of raping and murdering a 17-year-old student. Police said Das grabbed a firearm and fired at officers during transport to a crime scene in Gaighata. He then jumped into a pond. Officers returned fire. Police described the action as self-defense. This marks the second death of a rape and murder suspect during a police-led crime scene reconstruction in West Bengal within three months.
Context
A 17-year-old student died on October 25, 2026. Authorities found the body behind a neighbor's house that same day. The student went missing on October 24, 2026. Police arrested 23-year-old Prahlad Das on October 25, 2026. A court remanded Das to 10 days of police custody. This case follows a July 8, 2026, police encounter in the Baruipur area of South 24 Parganas. In that incident, police killed a suspect accused of the rape and murder of a minor.
Supportive perspectives
Police reported that Prahlad Das seized a firearm and fired at officers during his transport to a crime scene in Gaighata on October 27, 2026. Officers stated they returned fire in self-defense after Das jumped into a pond.
BJP State president Samik Bhattacharya defended the police action regarding the encounter. He stated that police may need to use firearms when they are attacked by suspects.
The state government formed a "Special Investigation Team" to probe the rape and murder case. Police arrested Das on October 25, 2026. A court remanded him to 10 days of police custody.
Critical perspectives
CPI(M) State secretary Mohammad Salim criticized the encounter. He called the police action a "soap opera" instead of standard procedure.
The Trinamool Congress (TMC) criticized the state government regarding the incident. The party cited concerns about the safety of women.
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