Kultali rape-murder Case: Mamata expresses satisfaction over speedy conviction

On 7 October, a Special Investigation Team was formed; the charge sheet in the case had been filed within 25 days of the incident being reported

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

A court in Baruipur today sentenced to death the accused in the rape and murder of a minor in Kultali in South 24-Parganas, the verdict coming within 62 days of the crime.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee welcomed the verdict, saying that the ruling was "unprecedented" in the history of the state.

After the order became public, the chief minister took to social media and lavished praise on the state police.

In a post on microblogging site 'X', Miss Banerjee wrote: "The accused in the case involving the brutal rape and murder of a minor girl in Joynagar on 4.10.24 has been sentenced to death today by the POCSO court at Baruipur just within 62 days of the ghastly incident.

Conviction and capital punishment in such a case in just over two months is unprecedented in the history of the state.

I congratulate the state police and all those involved in the prosecution process for this outstanding achievement.

The govt has zero tolerance towards offences against women and will continue to ensure that justice is neither delayed nor denied".

The state police too in a post on its X-handle claimed: "Justice for Joynagar".

Earlier today, judge Subarta Chatterjee of Baruipur Additional District Judges Court today sent the accused, Mustakin Sardar, to the gallows and also announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of the deceased.

After the ruling, public prosecutor Bibhas Chatterjee told reporters that it was a heinous crime and the rarest of the rare case for which they had demanded death sentence and the court upheld the argument.