A masked motorcyclist allegedly attacked former CPM Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Bikash Bhattacharyya’s residence in Kolkata’s Kalikapur early Thursday, prompting a police investigation, increased security near his home and intervention by the Calcutta High Court.
According to the complaint filed by Bhattacharyya, the assailant stopped outside his residence in the Purbalok area at about 5.35 am, hurled empty liquor bottles at the house and smashed several window panes before fleeing towards Daspara Bridge. CCTV footage cited in the report showed the biker’s face and motorcycle number plate covered. Audio from the recording captured the person shouting abuses and saying, “Don’t come after us, we are patriots.”
Bhattacharyya told reporters that the attacker used abusive language against his family members and issued death threats. He described the incident as a calculated attack and said he would seek a firearm licence from the Kolkata Police Commissioner for his safety. The police case was registered following his written complaint under multiple penal sections.
Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal said police were working to identify and apprehend the accused. Plainclothes surveillance had been deployed, a police picket placed near Bhattacharyya’s residence and heightened vigil ordered across the Purbalok area, according to the report. Intelligence inputs cited by police indicated that the suspect could be from Bikash Guha Colony or nearby areas under the Panchasayar police station.
The incident was also raised before the Calcutta High Court during proceedings on Thursday. Chief Justice R V Ghuge asked the government to conduct a proper investigation and sought a report. The development came a day after the Chief Justice expressed concern over incidents involving lawyers and court premises.
The High Court is already hearing a public interest litigation concerning two other incidents: an alleged assault on CPM member and senior advocate Samim Ahmed while he was providing legal assistance to people facing eviction in West Midnapore’s Garbeta, and an egg attack on lawyer Sayan Banerjee at the Baruipur court premises. Lawyers, including Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, told the court that families of legal professionals were worried. Additional advocate general Rajdeep Mazumder assured the court that police action would follow.
The attack has drawn political condemnation. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on social media that she condemned continuing attacks on the legal fraternity and called for advocates to remain united across political differences. She said she had spoken to Bhattacharyya and planned to meet him after returning to Kolkata.
Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharyya denied any BJP involvement and suggested personal enmity could be a possible reason. BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar said violence could not be justified, while also criticising Bhattacharyya’s stated plan to seek a firearm licence.
Bhattacharyya is scheduled to participate in a citizens’ convention in Kolkata on October 13 with former bureaucrat Jawhar Sircar. Actor-politician Prakash Raj is also expected to attend the convention. The police investigation and the report sought by the High Court are the next official steps in the case.
