Kolkata. A new political debate has erupted in West Bengal regarding the working style of the police. Two accused in serious criminal cases were killed in two police encounters that took place almost 12 hours apart in the state. The first incident took place in Gaighata area of North 24 Parganas district, where Prahlad Das, accused of the alleged rape and murder of a 17-year-old student, was shot dead by the police. The second incident came to light in Murshidabad district, where Samaun Shaikh, accused of murder of BJP worker Sujit Mandal, died in a police encounter. In both the incidents, the police claim that the accused were trying to escape by snatching the weapons of the policemen during the process of re-enacting the sequence of events at the crime scene. After these continuous incidents, West Bengal Police has started being compared with the encounter policy of Uttar Pradesh. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari’s government is defending the police action, while the opposition has raised questions over the circumstances of the encounters.
Encounter of the accused of rape and murder of 17 year old student
The first incident took place in Gaighata police station area of North 24 Parganas district. Here a 17-year-old student was murdered after alleged rape. The student was studying in class 11.
According to the information, the student had gone to watch a cultural program near her house on Saturday night. After this she suddenly went missing. His body was recovered near his house on Sunday.
After the incident, huge anger spread in the area. Police started investigation and arrested 23-year-old Prahlad Das.
Prahlad was accused of raping and murdering the student. The police was busy collecting evidence related to the case and getting information about the incident.
Claim of snatching police revolver and firing three bullets
According to the police, late on the night of Monday, October 26, accused Prahlad Das was taken to the crime scene to recreate the sequence of events.
Police claim that while returning, the accused stopped the vehicle to go to the toilet. Meanwhile, he snatched the service revolver of a sub-inspector and opened fire on the policemen.
It was told that the accused fired three rounds. In response, the police fired four bullets, some of which hit the accused.
Injured Prahlad Das was taken to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
However, independent verification of the events narrated by the police and investigation into the circumstances of the encounter is important.
Accused of murder of BJP worker killed in second encounter
Hours after the Gaighata incident, a police encounter also took place in Shamsherganj area of Murshidabad district.
In this incident, Samaun Shaikh, accused of murder of BJP worker Sujit Mandal, died. Sujit Mandal was murdered about two months ago and the case was being investigated by CID.
According to the police, the accused was taken to the crime scene to recreate the sequence of events. During this, he allegedly snatched the weapon of the police officer and opened fire.
In retaliation, Samaun Shaikh was injured by bullet. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Questions are being raised about the encounters as the police have stated almost similar circumstances in both the incidents.
Chief Minister Shubhendu Adhikari gave free hand to the police
West Bengal Chief Minister Subhendu Adhikari has adopted a strict stance to strengthen law and order in the state and stop crimes against women.
He had earlier also clarified that the police should not wait for any political permission to take action on serious crimes.
The Chief Minister had said in the Assembly in July that in cases of crimes against women and children, the police should take necessary steps within the ambit of law. The government will stand with the officials.
He has also talked about not allowing political interference in police work and adopting a policy of zero tolerance in cases of crime.
However, giving freedom of action to the police does not mean permission to punish an accused by going beyond the law.
Why is Bengal being compared with UP Police?
There has been a political and legal debate for a long time regarding police encounters in Uttar Pradesh. Now after the continuous incidents in West Bengal, the police working style there is being compared with UP.
The governments in both the states have been presenting strict action against criminals as a policy to strengthen law and order.
However, a police encounter can be considered legally justified only when the use of force is necessary and appropriate to the circumstances.
Just because an accused is accused of a serious crime, the police does not get the right to shoot him. An impartial investigation into the circumstances of each encounter is necessary.
A similar encounter took place in July also
This is not the first incident in West Bengal. In July 2026, Prabhas Mandal, accused of rape and murder of a minor girl, died in police firing in Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district.
In that case too, the police had claimed that the accused had snatched the policeman’s weapon and opened fire while he was being taken to the crime scene.
In this way, in three different cases in the last four months, the police have given details of almost similar circumstances.
After these incidents, questions are being raised as to how the accused in custody are able to repeatedly snatch the weapons of the policemen.
Opposition raised questions, demanded impartial investigation
Opposition parties have raised questions on the continuous encounters in West Bengal.
CPI(M) leader Mohammad Salim narrated the events of the encounters.
