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.”

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. (Sky News)

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The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has crossed the halfway mark in early leads, and has managed to retain a significant gap between itself and the ruling All India Trinamool Congress (TMC). 

As the trends continued to pour in, TMC leaders termed the situation “fishy”, and urged caution in making claims of a landslide victory. 

With West Bengal heading into verdict day today (May 4, 2026) after over a month of frenzied campaigning, the TMC looks to hold on to power, while the BJP seeks to make a historic breakthrough and claim the State for the first time. 

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) and the Congress will be watching with equal keenness, hoping to reclaim a foothold in the State’s electoral map after five years in the wilderness, following their wipeout in the 2021 polls. 

This year the State saw a turnout of 92.8% in the first phase on April 23, while the second recorded 91.47 % polling on April 29 — the highest in the State since Independence, according to the State’s Chief Electoral Officer. (The Hindu)

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