Bengal minor rape-murder case: NCW seeks report from police in 7 days

New Delhi, Jul 6 (PTI) The National Commission for Women (NCW) on Monday took suo motu cognisance of reports on the alleged rape and murder of a minor girl at Baruipur in West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district and sought an action taken report from the state police within seven days. Expressing "grave concern" over the incident, the commission asked the director general of police, West Bengal, to submit a detailed Action Taken Report (ATR) covering the progress of the investigation. "The NCW has taken suo motu cognisance of highly disturbing media reports regarding the alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old minor girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, and the subsequent incidents of mob violence," the commission said in a statement on X. The commission has sought details regarding the registration of the FIR under the appropriate provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the POCSO Act, the immediate arrest of all persons involved in the alleged rape and murder, and the progress of the investigation, it said. The commission also sought details of the investigation into the subsequent mob lynching, action taken against all those involved, an inquiry into any lapses in policing and preventive measures, the conduct of a comprehensive forensic and post-mortem examination, and the medical, psychological, legal and compensation support extended to the victim's family. "The commission has sought a detailed Action Taken Report from the Director General of Police, West Bengal, within seven days," it said. Reiterating its stand on crimes against women and children, the NCW said it follows a "Zero Tolerance policy towards crimes against women and girls" and called for a "swift, impartial, and comprehensive investigation, with stringent action against all those responsible in accordance with the law." Baruipur remained tense on Monday, a day after locals held a protest demanding the arrest of the accused. The demonstration had escalated to brickbatting, during which a major road was blocked, tyres were burnt, and police vehicles were vandalised. The body of the girl, stuffed in a sack, was fished out from a pond on Sunday, following which a mob lynched a man for his alleged involvement in her rape and murder. Police clamped prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS in Baruipur and its adjacent Narendrapur and Sonarpur police station areas in the aftermath of Sunday's violence and deployed heavy security. The state government has constituted a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the local additional superintendent of police, to probe the crime. While two suspects were arrested following overnight search operations and three others detained for questioning, the prime accused in the case -- Ananda Sardar -- was held on Monday, police said. PTI KSH MPL MPL