Baruipur case: TMC claims cops prevented Mamata, Abhishek from meeting victim's family

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday (July 5) alleged that heavy police deployment and barricades were placed outside the residences of former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and party national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee to stop them from visiting the family of a 12-year-old girl who was allegedly raped and murdered in Baruipur near Kolkata.

In a post on X, TMC leader Derek O’Brien claimed that security personnel had carried out route marches and stationed barricades near the two leaders' homes in what it described as an attempt to restrict their movement. Sharing visuals from the area, the TMC Rajya Sabha MP questioned the deployment of central forces and alleged that the two leaders were being prevented from leaving their residences.

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"Alarming visuals from the lane outside Mamata Banerjee and Abhishek Banerjee's homes. Route march happening now. Confinement using force!" O'Brien wrote on X.

Police arrest two people

The allegations came amid heightened tension in Baruipur, where police have arrested two people and detained three others for questioning in connection with the alleged rape and murder of the minor girl. Officials said a six-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate the case.

According to the police, four FIRs have been registered so far, including separate cases related to the girl's alleged rape and murder and the lynching of a man suspected by locals of being involved in the crime. Raids are underway to trace other suspects.

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The victim's body was recovered from a pond on Sunday, a day after she was reported missing. Her family has alleged that she was raped before being killed.

Protests erupt

The incident triggered widespread protests, with angry residents blocking roads and railway tracks while demanding swift action against those responsible. A man was allegedly beaten to death by a mob on suspicion of involvement in the crime.

In view of the unrest, authorities imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in parts of Baruipur and nearby areas. Additional police personnel have also been deployed to maintain law and order.

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Meanwhile, West Bengal Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari spoke to the victim's father over the phone and assured him that those responsible would be arrested and punished. The girl's father said he demanded capital punishment for the accused and added that Adhikari had asked him to visit the state Criminal Investigation Department headquarters, Bhabani Bhawan, on Tuesday.

"I asked that the culprits be hanged. He assured me action would be taken. I am satisfied with the administration," the victim's father said.