Protests threaten to spiral out of control in India after rape and murder of 12-year-old girl saw innocent man killed

Violent protests are threating to spiral out of control in India after the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl.

The child's mutilated body was found on Sunday in a pond in Baripur, about 20 miles from Kolkata, West Bengal.

Protests unfolded in the days since and an angry mob lynched a 26-year-old man - who officials have since said was innocent.

Separately, a prime suspect was shot by police after trying to steal a gun and fire at officers during a visit to the crime scene, officials said.

The girl's parents allege she was raped and murdered by influential men.

Demanding immediate action against the suspects, they staged a sit-in with the girl's body.

The family also accused the police of not acting quickly enough.

The violent protests have seen police vehicles vandalised, and roads and train tracks blocked.

Opposition parties have accused the newly formed Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government of failing to protect women and provide justice and security.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari described the girl's rape and murder as "horrific", setting up a special investigation team to examine the case.

Police have arrested four men, who face charges of child sexual abuse, rape and murder.

Superintendent Palash Dhali said the "main accused, Prabhas Mondal, was last seen with the girl and his interrogation resulted in the arrest of others".

The police took Mondal to the scene early on Thursday morning for a reconstruction of the crime and investigations.

Mr Dhali said: "The accused snatched the arm of one police personnel, fired one round at our team, and attempted to flee the scene.

"During the return firing by the police, Mondal was injured, and he was immediately shifted to Baruipur Hospital, where the attending doctor declared him dead."

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The incident threatens to snowball into a major challenge for the newly elected BJP government, who fought on a platform of safety and security of women in Bengal.

As tensions prevail, there is a heavy police presence and gatherings have been banned.

The incident also has the potential to fuel religious tensions as the victim was a Muslim while the arrested men are Hindus.

The recent elections polarised the state on religious lines.

According to the National Crimes Record Bureau, there were 441,534 cases of crimes against women in India in 2024, with 29,536 cases of rape reported to police.

(c) Sky News 2026: Protests threaten to spiral out of control in India after rape and murde