A masked motorcyclist allegedly vandalised 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.
CCTV footage cited in the police complaint showed the rider stopping outside Bhattacharyya’s house in Purbalok at around 5.35 am. The assailant allegedly removed empty liquor bottles from a bag and threw them at the building, breaking several window panes, before fleeing towards Daspara Bridge. The footage also recorded the rider shouting abuses and saying, “Don’t come after us, we are patriots.”
In his written complaint, Bhattacharyya alleged that the attacker used abusive language against female members of his family and issued death threats. He described the incident as the first physical attack on him and his family after years of receiving social media abuse and threats. He also said he intended to seek a firearm licence from the Kolkata Police Commissioner for personal safety.
East Jadavpur police registered a case under multiple penal sections after receiving the complaint. Police said intelligence inputs indicated that the suspect could be from Bikash Guha Colony or nearby areas under Panchasayar police station. Additional commissioner of police (Crime) Kunal Aggarwal said the police were working to identify and apprehend the accused. Plainclothes personnel have been deployed, a police picket has been stationed near the residence and additional vigilance is being maintained in the Purbalok area, he said.
The incident was raised before the Calcutta High Court during proceedings on Thursday. Chief Justice R V Ghuge called for a proper investigation and sought a report from the government. The development came a day after the Chief Justice expressed concern over incidents involving members of the legal profession and court premises.
The High Court is already hearing a public interest litigation concerning two other reported incidents: 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. During the hearing, lawyers, including Trinamool Congress MP and senior advocate Kalyan Banerjee, said families of legal professionals were concerned about their safety. Additional advocate general Rajdeep Mazumder assured the court that police action would follow.
Political leaders condemned the attack while disputing its possible motive. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said attacks on the legal fraternity were unacceptable and called for unity among advocates across political affiliations. Bengal BJP president Samik Bhattacharyya denied any BJP involvement and suggested personal enmity could be a possible explanation. BJP chief spokesperson Debjit Sarkar also condemned violence, while criticising the proposal to seek a firearm licence.
Bhattacharyya and former bureaucrat Jawhar Sircar have convened a citizens’ convention in Kolkata on October 13. Actor-politician Prakash Raj is scheduled to attend the event, which is expected to discuss national issues including the revision of electoral rolls. Police action and the report sought by the High Court are the next formal steps in the case.
