West Bengal Rape-Murder Case: Accused Dies in Police Firing During Crime Scene Reconstruction

A 23-year-old man accused of raping and murdering a 17-year-old girl in West Bengal’s North 24 Parganas district died after a police shooting during the reconstruction of the alleged crime, authorities said on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.

The accused, identified as Prahlad Das, had been taken to the Gaighata crime scene as part of the investigation. According to police, he allegedly took a service firearm from an escorting officer and fired at personnel. Police said they returned fire in self-defence, seriously injuring him.

Das was taken to Chandpara Rural Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His body was sent for a post-mortem examination, while authorities began examining the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Police Investigate Circumstances of the Shooting

According to preliminary police accounts, the accused managed to take a firearm from an officer accompanying him during the crime scene reconstruction. He allegedly fired at police personnel, prompting them to respond.

No police personnel were reported injured in the incident. However, investigators are expected to examine how the accused gained access to the officer’s firearm and whether established security procedures were followed during the reconstruction exercise.

The circumstances leading to the shooting are likely to form an important part of the inquiry. Officials will need to establish the sequence of events and assess the evidence surrounding the police action.

Following news of Das’s death, his family members arrived at the hospital and expressed anger over the incident. Police personnel were deployed at the hospital and in surrounding areas to prevent tensions from escalating.

Case Began After Class 11 Student Was Found Dead

The case came to light on Sunday, October 25, when the body of a 17-year-old Class 11 student was found near a relative’s residence in Gaighata.

The girl had reportedly attended a musical and cultural programme with family members and friends on the previous evening. Her relatives said she received a phone call around midnight and left the event but did not return home.

After the programme ended, family members began searching for her. Her body was discovered the following morning, prompting a police investigation.

The family alleged that the teenager had been raped and murdered. Police registered a case and initially questioned a relative before arresting Das, who was also related to the victim.

Investigators suspected sexual assault and murder based on the initial circumstances. The post-mortem examination and forensic findings are important to establishing the cause of death and supporting the investigation.

Authorities have also been examining whether anyone else was involved in the crime.

Victim’s Family Reacts to Accused’s Death

The girl’s parents expressed grief over the loss of their daughter while reacting to news that the accused had died.

Her father said the incident had left the family without their child and questioned what the outcome could mean for them personally. Her mother said she had been informed that the accused died during an alleged attempt to escape.

The family’s reaction came amid heightened public attention surrounding the case and demands for accountability.

Second Similar Incident in Three Months

The Gaighata shooting is the second reported case in West Bengal in approximately three months in which a person accused of rape and murder died during a police operation involving crime scene reconstruction.

In July 2026, Pravas Mondal, an accused in the alleged rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in Baruipur, South 24 Parganas district, was also killed in police firing.

Police had said Mondal attempted to take an officer’s firearm and fire while trying to escape. Officers responded, and he later died in hospital.

The similarity between the two incidents has renewed attention on police procedures during the reconstruction of serious crimes, including the handling of detainees and compliance with security safeguards.

Investigation and Accountability Remain Central

West Bengal authorities now face questions about the circumstances of the Gaighata shooting and the procedures followed while the accused was in police custody.

The investigation into the teenager’s death and the inquiry into the police firing are separate but significant matters. Establishing the facts through forensic evidence, official records and a clear account of the events will be important for accountability.

The incident has also intensified public discussion about criminal investigations, police conduct and the need to ensure that serious cases are handled through lawful and transparent procedures.