Kolkata, Aug 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday met the family of a TMC worker who allegedly died in police custody in the North 24 Parganas district and said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
He also announced a Rs 10 lakh aid from the CM Relief fund to the bereaved family and a government job for the victim’s wife. BJP MLA Arjun Singh, senior police officials and local leaders accompanied Adhikari during his visit.
This came a day after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced a hostile crowd during her visit to the deceased party worker’s home in Halisahar, with the mob surrounding her vehicle, hurling “thief” abuse at her and throwing mud and slippers at the convoy.
Birju Keot, the husband of former Kanchrapara municipal councillor Jeni Sharma Keot, was arrested in connection with extortion and other charges. He was produced before a court on Friday and remanded in police custody for five days. His death was reported on Saturday.
His wife has alleged that Keot was beaten inside the police lock-up and died. There was no immediate response from the police to the allegation.
After meeting with Adhikari, the deceased’s wife said they have faith in the administration but have grave complaints against officials of the Halisahar police station.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the deceased’s kin, Adhikari said the inspector in-charge of the Halisahar police station has been shunted to the police lines, and the investigating officer has been suspended in connection with Keot’s death.
“It is clear as daylight that the man died in custody and police negligence is established. The exact circumstances leading to his death would be clear after the post-mortem report arrives,” he said.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the chief minister said, adding that Rs 10 lakh aid from the CM Relief fund has been offered to the victim’s family.
The state police chief and the home secretary would monitor the case, and further action would be initiated based on the findings of the magisterial inquiry and the post-mortem report, he told reporters.
Adhikari said a notification in this regard will be issued later in the day.
The chief minister hit out at the TMC supremo over her visit to Halisahar a day earlier, alleging that she did not inform the director of security or the police commissioner about her programme despite enjoying Z-plus security.
Even though Banerjee alleged involvement of BJP workers in the alleged attack on her convoy, Adhikari had denied any involvement of the party in the incident, saying the protest reflected “deep public anger” against her.
“She has Z+ security. Did she inform the Director of Security or the CP? For a VIP visit, personnel have to be mobilised. It takes time,” he said on Monday.
The chief minister, however, thanked the Barrackpore police commissioner for deploying personnel despite no prior intimation.
He said the protest Banerjee faced a day earlier was a spontaneous outburst of public anger over alleged corruption during the TMC rule, and asked, “Does anyone die because of being hit by mud? 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.
“I am the chief minister of the entire state, not of a political party. I went to the house of a TMC worker because it is my duty,” he said.
Adhikari also referred to his own legal battles during the previous government, saying, “I went to the high court 104 times.” “She should follow the Blue Book. She should not give me lessons on administration,” he said. PTI BSM NSD
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