Kolkata, 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 officers aware of the details said. "Ali was arrested as a prime suspect in the lynching and vandalism case. It is suspected that he had instigated the mob. He will be produced in the 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. Around 40 people were arrested earlier in separate cases linked to the minor girl's death, the lynching of Indrajit Mondal, a local resident, and the destruction of private and government property during the mob violence. CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakraborty alleged that Ali's arrest was politically motivated. He said, "A lot of misinformation was spread against Ali since the girl's death. If someone is declared guilty even before arrest then it becomes apparent that the investigation has been influenced. But we will fight it out legally."...