India, July 13 -- The West Bengal police arrested Lahek Ali, a local CPI(M) leader, from Baruipur in South 24 Parganas district on Sunday night in connection with the July 5 lynching and vandalism following the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl, police officials aware of the details said.

"Ali was arrested as a prime suspect in the lynching and vandalism. It is suspected that he instigated the mob. He will be produced in court on Monday," a district police officer said, requesting anonymity.

Ali was the CPI(M) candidate from the Baruipur West seat in the recent assembly polls but Biman Banerjee of the Trinamool Congress won it. The Bharatiya Janata Party came second in the race.

Around 40 people were arrested earlier in separate ca...