A masked biker vandalised the Kalikapur home of former CPM Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Bikash Bhattacharyya early Thursday, prompting a police investigation and a direction from the Calcutta High Court for the state government to submit a report on the incident.
According to the complaint filed by Bhattacharyya, the assailant stopped outside his residence in Purbalok at about 5.35 am, hurled empty liquor bottles at the house and smashed several window panes before fleeing towards Daspara Bridge. CCTV footage reviewed by the police showed the attacker wearing a mask and travelling on a motorcycle with its number plate covered.
Audio from the footage captured the assailant shouting abuses and saying, “Don’t come after us, we are patriots.” Bhattacharyya told reporters that the attacker also used offensive language against female members of his family 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.
East Jadavpur police registered a case under multiple penal sections after receiving Bhattacharyya’s written complaint. Additional commissioner of police (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal said investigators were working to identify and apprehend the accused. Plainclothes personnel have been deployed, a police picket has been stationed near the residence and additional vigil is being maintained in the Purbalok area, he said.
Police intelligence inputs indicate that the suspect may be from Bikash Guha Colony or nearby areas under the Panchasayar police station jurisdiction. The supplied report does not identify an accused or establish a motive. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharyya denied any BJP involvement and suggested that personal enmity could be a possible explanation. BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar condemned the attack and said violence could not be justified, while also criticising the proposal to seek a firearm licence.
The incident was raised before the Calcutta High Court during proceedings on Thursday. Chief Justice R V Ghuge asked the government to ensure a proper investigation and seek a report. The matter came a day after the Chief Justice expressed concern over untoward incidents on court premises.
The High Court is already hearing a public interest litigation concerning two other incidents involving members of the legal profession: an 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.
Additional advocate general Rajdeep Mazumder assured the court that the police would act. Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee told the court that families of legal professionals were worried. The Chief Justice advised the lawyers to retain faith in the judiciary.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condemned the attack and said she had spoken to Bhattacharyya. She called for unity among advocates across political affiliations. 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 scheduled to attend. Police investigation and the state government’s report to the High Court are the next official steps.
