Bengal police shoot dead accused at Samserganj in second ‘encounter’ within 24 hours

Bengal witnessed twin police ‘encounters’ within 24 hours after Samaun Sheikh, an accused in the Sujit Mondal murder case in Dhuliyan, was shot dead during a crime scene reconstruction in Samserganj on Tuesday.

According to police claims, the incident unfolded when officers took Samaun Sheikh to the Old Dakbangla area under Samserganj police station, where Sujit Mondal was murdered. During the reconstruction, Samaun allegedly attempted to escape after snatching a service weapon from an officer and opening fire.

"The state CID was investigating the murder. Today (Tuesday), the accused was brought to the spot for crime scene reconstruction. The shooting took place at that time. Later, when taken to the hospital, doctors declared him dead. It is not possible to say anything more at this moment," said an official from the Jangipur Police District. Police stated that Samaun fired three rounds before sustaining bullet injuries in retaliatory police firing. He was rushed to the Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Sujit, a resident of Old Dakbangla, went missing under mysterious circumstances on August 28 before his dismembered body was recovered.

Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari stated that Sujit was killed using a butcher's knife, drawing parallels to the murder of father-son duo Hargobinda Das and Chandan Das in Dhuliyan. Police have also arrested Samiul Sheikh, Tazkira Bibi, and Joni Sheikh in connection with the case.

Hours earlier: Rape-murder accused shot dead in Gaighata

The Samserganj incident followed another police ‘encounter’ shortly before midnight on Monday in Gaighata, North 24 Parganas. Prahlad Das (23), an accused in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old Class 11 student, was killed when police took him for crime scene reconstruction.

A senior officer said Das snatched a service revolver and opened fire, prompting retaliatory firing. No policemen were injured as they took cover in a nearby canal. Das was declared dead at Chandpara Rural Hospital. "The circumstances under which the accused managed to snatch an officer's revolver and the sequence of events leading to the firing are likely to be probed," the officer added.

Political reactions poured in following the dual incidents. CPI(M) Bengal state secretary Mohammed Salim called the Gaighata encounter “scripted” and alleged, “Instead of SOP, it’s in accordance with SOAP opera. Same Baruipur script in this episode too. Some small details needed.”

The victim's family in Gaighata welcomed the development. “I will never get my daughter back. The police did the right thing on the government's orders. The accused tried to escape and fired at the police. We have learnt that he died in retaliatory police firing,” said the girl's father.