A preliminary autopsy report has laid bare the horrific details of the assault and murder of a 12-year-old schoolgirl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district, whose body was recovered from a local pond on Sunday. The findings indicate that the minor was subjected to gang rape and extreme physical torture before being stuffed into a sack and thrown into the water while still alive, intensifying public outrage across the state.
The girl had gone missing on Saturday evening to buy a gift for her friend in the Surjapur area. But she never returned home till late evening. Her family and locals launched a search, discovering her mutilated body the following morning in a pond. She was found inside a gunny sack, prompting immediate allegations of abduction, sexual violence, and murder by individuals from the locality.
“We have seen the body. There were deep cut on her lips and several injuries all over the body. Her private part was brutalised. The report - copy of which we are yet to receive officially - is in line with what we have seen with our eyes. The torture was inhuman”, said the father of the victim.
According to medical examiners at the Katapukur morgue, the postmortem revealed extensive evidence of sexual assault. The girl's private parts showed severe injury marks, including burns, consistent with brutal violation. Multiple scratch and bite marks were documented across various parts of her body, pointing to prolonged physical torture during the ordeal.
A significant blunt force trauma was noted at the back of her head, likely resulting from a heavy blow or forceful impact against a hard surface. This injury caused substantial internal bleeding. Crucially, the presence of muddy water in her lungs and stomach confirmed that she was still breathing when submerged, establishing antemortem drowning. Authorities stated that the combined effects of excessive blood loss from the head wound and suffocation by drowning were the primary causes of death.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections, including those for gang rape and murder, and have arrested three individuals in connection with the crime. One suspect was allegedly lynched by an angry mob shortly after the body’s recovery, while another reportedly fled custody. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case thoroughly, with forensic evidence, CCTV footage, and witness statements being examined. Section 163 of the CrPC has been imposed in the area to maintain order amid rising tensions.
The incident has triggered widespread protests in Baruipur, with locals demanding for swift justice. Central forces have been deployed to the region to prevent further unrest. Political leaders have weighed in heavily: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has vowed the death penalty for those involved, emphasising zero tolerance for such crimes against children. Three people have been arrested so far - Prabhas Mondal, Dibakar Sardar and Ananda Sardar. Three more people have been detained and the investigation continues. The CCTV video reveals one of the accused - Prabhas Mondal - taking the minor along with him post 4.40pm on Saturday evening.
