Bengal Girl Rape-Murder: Five More Held for Mob Violence, Arrests Rise to 35 in Baruipur

The investigation into the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur has widened, with police arresting five more people for their alleged role in the ensuing mob violence and attacks on law enforcement personnel. The latest arrests have taken the total number of people held in connection with the unrest to 35 , officials said on Friday.

According to senior officers of the Baruipur Police district , the accused were apprehended during overnight raids across several localities in South 24 Parganas . Police said further searches are underway and additional arrests are likely as investigators continue to identify those involved through technical evidence and video footage.

The case has sparked widespread outrage across the region. The girl had gone missing last Saturday after leaving her home to purchase a birthday gift for a friend. Her family filed a missing person's complaint, and her body was recovered the following day.

Soon after the recovery, angry residents allegedly lynched Indrajit Mondal , suspecting him of involvement in the crime. The situation rapidly escalated into violent protests, with roads blocked, railway tracks damaged and several police vehicles vandalised. Police personnel who attempted to restore order were also allegedly assaulted.

Authorities have registered two separate cases , one related to the lynching of Mondal and another concerning the attack on police personnel and destruction of public property. Investigators said strict legal action would be taken against everyone found responsible, whether directly involved in the violence or aiding it in any manner.

In the alleged rape and murder case, police have so far arrested Anand Sardar , identified as the prime accused, along with Prabhas Mondal, Dibakar Sardar and Kabir Molla .

Police said the investigation remains ongoing as teams continue raids to track down other suspects linked to both the murder case and the subsequent violence that shook Baruipur.