Kolkata, Oct. 27 -- The main accused in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl was shot dead by police in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal on Tuesday after he allegedly snatched an officer's gun and fired at the personnel, officers familiar with the matter said.

The accused, Prahlad Das, was arrested on Sunday, hours after the body of a Class 11 student-who went missing on Saturday-was recovered. Police took him to the crime scene in Gaighata at around 2:50am on Monday, officers said, adding that Das attacked the police when they were returning.

"Das had confessed to the crime during interrogation and was taken to the spot for reconstruction of the crime. While the team was returning, he snatched the service revolver of a su...