The father of the minor girl allegedly raped and murdered in West Bengal's Baruipur has expressed confidence in the police investigation and the state government following the death of accused Prabhash Mondal in a police encounter.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, the victim's father said he believed the investigation was progressing as assured by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and hoped that all those responsible for the crime would be brought to justice.
"We have complete faith in the police and in the government. The Chief Minister is carrying out the work exactly as he had promised us. We are very happy with the way the investigation is progressing. We have full faith in the Chief Minister," he said.
The Chief Minister had met the victim's family during his visit to the Baruipur Superintendent of Police's office on Tuesday and assured them that the accused would face the strictest punishment under the law.
The minor had reportedly gone missing on Saturday before her body was recovered from a pond in the Suryapur area on Sunday. Police have arrested four accused in connection with the alleged gang rape and murder. One person suspected by locals was also beaten to death by a mob. The Chief Minister has stated that the deceased man was innocent.
Prabhash Mondal, the first accused arrested in the case, was killed late Tuesday night during a police-led reconstruction of the crime. According to police, he allegedly snatched a firearm from an investigating officer, attempted to escape and opened fire, prompting police to retaliate in self-defence.
When asked about the encounter, the victim's father said he was not in a position to comment on the incident itself but reiterated his confidence in the police.
"I cannot comment on the encounter because I was not present there. But we have complete faith in the police. Without them, we could not have reached this stage. Four people have been arrested so far, and more may be arrested. We want every guilty person to be punished. Dada has assured us of that, and we trust him," he said.
Investigators have said CCTV footage showed the victim with Prabhash Mondal before she went missing. Police also alleged that Mondal had led investigators to the pond where the girl's body was recovered.
Meanwhile, Mondal's family has said they will not claim his body. His mother told reporters that her son had "faced the consequences of his actions" and that no member of the family would collect his remains. Officials have said a magistrate's inquiry will be conducted into the encounter, in accordance with procedure.
The investigation into the alleged rape and murder, as well as the circumstances surrounding the police encounter, remains ongoing.
