West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday admitted that TMC worker Birju Keot died in police custody and that the police cannot shirk from its responsibility. He also ordered a magisterial probe into the death and announced disciplinary action against the inspector in-charge of Halisahar by shunting him to the police lines.
Adhikari, accompanied by minister Arjun Singh, DGP Siddh Nath Gupta, and local BJP leaders, met the family of the deceased and announced Rs 10 lakh compensation and a job for his wife.
Adhikari’s visit comes a day after former Chief Minister and TMC chief Mamata Banerjee met a hostile crowd when she was on her way to visit the family of Keot. The crowd surrounded the TMC chief’s car, shouting “chor (thief)” and “dakat rani (dacoit queen)”, and hurled mud and slippers.
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“The person died in police custody and police cannot shirk from its responsibility. A magisterial probe has been ordered in accordance with protocol. The exact circumstance leading to the death and its cause will be clear only after the probe. Till then, we are announcing disciplinary action against the officers concerned. We are closing IC, Halisahar to the police lines and suspending the IO of this case,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari also announced that considering the family’s financial circumstances, the victim’s wife would be given a job as an attendant in the Chief Minister’s Office and financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh would be provided.
“I want to thank the victim’s family for having confidence in the state administration. They have full faith in the police top brass, but they have levelled many allegations against Halisahar police personnel. The deceased’s wife will receive a salary of Rs 15,000 per month for a year following which she will be absorbed in a Group D position. She has agreed to this arrangement,” Adhikari said.
Adhikari also sought to contrast his visit to Keot’s family with Banerjee’s record as chief minister, alleging that 315 BJP workers were killed during her 15-year rule.
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“In Bengal’s politics, there have been numerous instances of police firing, political clashes, bomb attacks, gun violence, and killings in police or political custody. However, during the tenures of Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and Mamata Banerjee, you will not find an example of a chief minister visiting the home of someone with opposing political views,” the CM asserted.
Terming Banerjee’s visit as “political”, Adhikari said, “I can’t give her advice as I am younger than her. I would request her that if she wants to go anywhere, let the administration know your schedule so that they can arrange proper security.”
Hitting out at her, Adhikari said, “No stones were thrown at her. It was a spontaneous outburst of public anger directed at her because of the thefts her party was involved in. Did she inform the director of security or the CP? For a VIP visit, personnel have to be mobilised. It takes time.”
“The victim’s wife has given me a letter. Although the family supports the Trinamool Congress, they have not allowed anyone to politicise this death. Yesterday, the former chief minister came, but Keot’s family did not meet her. The deceased’s elder brother has clearly stated that they want justice and that they have faith in the administration,” he added.
Atri Mitra is a highly accomplished Special Correspondent for The Indian Express, bringing over 20 years of experience to his reporting. His work is characterized by deep regional knowledge and a focus on critical administrative and political developments, establishing strong Expertise and Authority in his domain.
Experience
Current Role: Special Correspondent, The Indian Express.
Decades of Experience: Over two decades of extensive reporting experience, primarily covering administration and political news.
Geographical Focus: Holds significant reporting experience from West Bengal, Bihar, and the North-East, providing a comprehensive understanding of the socio-political landscape in these regions.
Key Coverage: Has dedicated more than ten years to covering administration and political news, with a keen focus on political developments in West Bengal.
Electoral Reporting: Demonstrated a commitment to crucial political moments, having covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections during his time at Anandabazar Patrika, and the 2019 Bihar Lok Sabha election while working with News18-Bangla.
Career Foundation: Began his career at the leading vernacular daily Anandabazar Patrika, where he worked for more than fifteen years, including a three-year stint as the Bihar correspondent.
Education
Advanced Degree: Holds a Master's degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University, providing an analytical framework for his political and administrative reporting.
Undergraduate Education: Holds a Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University.
Prestigious Alumni: His educational background includes attending esteemed institutions: he is an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur.
Atri Mitra's decades of dedicated reporting, substantial focus on political and administrative beats, and solid academic credentials make him a trusted and authoritative source for news and analysis from Eastern and North-Eastern India. ... Read More
