India, July 7 -- The alleged rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in West Bengal's Baruipur has become the first major law-and-order challenge for the BJP government led by Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari.

The crime, which triggered widespread outrage, mob lynching, violent protests and political confrontation, has placed the administration under pressure to demonstrate its ability to deliver swift justice while responding to allegations of delayed police action and administrative lapses.

The incident has also handed Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee her first significant opportunity to challenge the new government politically, turning a criminal investigation into the first major governance test for the BJP since assuming offic...