Kolkata, Aug 10 (PTI) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday acknowledged police negligence in the custodial death of TMC worker Birju Keot, and announced disciplinary action against the inspector in-charge of Halisahar by shunting him to the police lines.
He also said the investigating officer in connection with Keot’s death has been suspended, and in accordance with protocol, a magistrate-level inquiry would be conducted.
Adhikari, accompanied by minister Arjun Singh, DGP Siddh Nath Gupta, and local BJP leaders, met the bereaved family a day after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced a hostile crowd during her visit to the deceased party worker’s home, with the mob surrounding her vehicle, raising “thief” slogans, throwing mud and slippers at the convoy.
While magistrate-level inquiries are usually conducted by SDOs or deputy magistrates, the responsibility for conducting the current probe has been assigned to Shilpi Gaurisaria, the district magistrate of North 24 Parganas, considering the gravity of the case, Adhikari said.
He said instructions were issued to regularly inform him and the deceased’s family about the progress of the government inquiry.
“It is clear as daylight that the victim died in custody and police negligence is established. The exact circumstance leading to the death and its cause will be clear only after the detailed post-mortem report arrives and the mandatory inquiry is conducted,” the CM said, after meeting the victim’s kin.
“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,” he 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 Home Minister’s Office and a financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh would be provided.
“The deceased’s wife will receive 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,” the chief minister said.
He also thanked the members of the victim’s family for placing their trust in the government despite being TMC supporters.
“We have expressed our gratitude to the family. They did not give anyone an opportunity to politicise the death. The former CM had visited, but they did not meet her.
“The deceased’s elder brother had told her that they wanted justice. They trust the government and the administration, despite grudges against the local police. That is a matter of great satisfaction for us,” the CM stated.
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 Birju Keot was severely beaten inside the police lock-up and subsequently died. There was no immediate response from the police to the allegation.
“First and foremost, we want justice for my husband’s murder in police custody,” Jeni said, adding that she submitted a witten complaint against officers of the Halisahar police station.
“We have accepted the monetary compensation in view of my son and daughter – three and eight years old, respectively. We trust the state government to deliver the justice it has promised,” she said.
Adhikari said 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 detailed post-mortem report.
He also said a notification in this regard will be issued later in the day.
On Sunday, Mamata Banerjee, accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen, went to Kanchrapara to meet Jeni’s family. Faced with protests, Banerjee launched a scathing attack on the state government and targeted Adhikari, who doubles up as the West Bengal Home Minister.
“Forget about security. The police are providing protection to lumpens. Bengal has now fallen into the hands of lumpens. We will file a case,” the TMC supremo said.
“My head could have been smashed. We could have been killed here,” she had added.
Adhikari countered Banerjee’s claims, alleging that she did not inform the director of security or the police commissioner about her programme despite enjoying a security of Z-plus category.
“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. Does anyone die on account of being hit by mud? “She has Z-plus security. Did she inform the director of security or the CP? For a VIP visit, personnel have to be mobilised. It takes time,” he had said on Monday.
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.
“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.
“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.
“I went to the high court 104 times. She should follow the Blue Book instead of giving me lessons in administration,” he said, hitting back at Banerjee. PTI BSM NSD SMY RBT
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.