Kolkata Police have summoned CPI(M) leader and lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya to two police stations for questioning after cases were registered over his social-media remark accusing “Hindutva goons” of attacking his residence. According to a notice reported by The Statesman, Bhattacharya has been asked to appear on October 13 and 14.
The summons follow an attack reported at Bhattacharya’s residence in the Purbalok area near the Kolkata EM Bypass. Several youths allegedly arrived on motorcycles and threw bricks at the house, breaking windowpanes. Bhattacharya said the attackers had covered their faces and concealed the motorcycle number plates with black cloth, making identification difficult. He also alleged that the assault was premeditated.
After the incident, Bhattacharya posted on social media that people associated with Hindutva were behind the attack. The remark led to FIRs against him. The report said cases were registered at the Garfa and Kasba police stations, while a right-wing organisation also filed FIRs at the Topsia and Garfa police stations.
The police action has placed two connected issues before the city’s criminal justice system: the investigation into the alleged attack on a political leader’s home and the legal complaints arising from his public description of the suspected attackers. The reported summons require Bhattacharya to respond to the cases during questioning at the police stations.
The report also said that West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari threatened legal action against Bhattacharya, describing the social-media post as an insult to the Hindu community. Adhikari said the alleged attackers would be investigated but that action would also be taken against Bhattacharya over the post.
Kolkata Police have arrested one person, identified as Bappa Guchait, in connection with the attack at Bhattacharya’s residence. Guchait is from the Saha Kalibari area in Narendrapur, in South 24 Parganas. A photograph showing him wearing a Trinamool Congress scarf has circulated, but the report said it remained unclear whether he had changed political affiliation after the change in government following the state Assembly elections.
The questioning scheduled for October 13 and 14 is the next formal step identified in the police action. The investigation into the attack, the FIRs against Bhattacharya and the political affiliations of those involved remain separate matters for the authorities to establish.
