Three elderly men in Kolkata faced a brutal assault after they protested against public drinking and indecent behaviour near a busy metro station, an incident that has sparked outrage over alleged police inaction.
Assault Follows Protest Against Public Nuisance
The incident occurred on December 26 around 7:15 PM on Balaram Dey Street, close to the Girish Park metro station's auto stand. According to a written complaint filed by local resident Swapan Dey (64), he was chatting with friends Pawan Singh (61) and Arjun Verma (70) when they noticed four youths drinking openly at a neighbourhood corner.
"We protested and asked why they were drinking in the open. I advised them to move indoors," Dey stated, clarifying they had no intention of moral policing but simply wanted the group to stop creating a nuisance on a busy road where people of all ages, including women, were passing by.
The youths initially left after a 10-minute argument but returned 15 minutes later, allegedly intoxicated and aggressive. They dared the seniors to stop them and suddenly attacked. Pawan Singh suffered multiple injuries, including a cut on his forehead, and Swapan Dey was also assaulted. The accused used foul language and threats before fleeing as locals gathered.
Police Delay and Public Protest
Despite Dey filing a complaint at Girish Park Police Station the same night, no immediate action was taken. The accused reportedly threatened the victims for reporting the incident. More than a week passed without arrests, prompting locals and political workers to stage a protest outside the police station on Wednesday evening (January 7), questioning the police's role.
A case was finally registered only on Tuesday, January 6. Local sources claimed intervention from Lalbazar (police headquarters) was needed to start the probe. Dey revealed he considered moving court but eventually got a call from the investigating officer asking for his ID to lodge the FIR.
Police Response and Ongoing Probe
On Wednesday, police stated that necessary action would be taken soon. An officer said, "Relevant footage has been collected, and the victims have identified one of the accused as a resident of Balaram Dey Street. We are also probing whether there was any prior enmity."
Police denied charges of complete inaction, stating a preliminary probe found the complaint's contents to be genuine. Meanwhile, the two injured seniors were taken to Medical College Hospital by locals for treatment following the December 26 assault.
The incident highlights growing concerns over public safety and police responsiveness in dealing with street-level harassment and violence, especially against senior citizens who stand up against antisocial behaviour.
