A tragic incident following a musical event has led to a murder case and political controversy in North 24 Parganas. A 28-year-old man, who was severely assaulted days after attending a concert, has died from his injuries, prompting police action and public outcry.
Chronology of a Fatal Assault
The victim, identified as a youth from Sodepur, had attended a music concert featuring popular Bollywood composer-singer Ankit Tiwari on Sunday. The event was part of the Panihati Festival, held at the Sodepur Amrabati ground. According to police sources, the man was at the crowded venue with friends when a scuffle broke out between two groups.
The situation took a violent turn after he left the fairground. "He was reportedly dragged into a nearby alley and beaten by a group of youths with whom he had earlier clashed," revealed a senior officer from the Barrackpore Commissionerate. The brutal assault left him critically injured.
Medical Ordeal and Police Investigation
Following the attack, the victim's health rapidly deteriorated. He was first rushed to the Panihati State General Hospital. Due to the severity of his condition, he was subsequently shifted to the College of Medicine and Sagor Dutta Hospital in Kamarhati. In a final effort to save his life, he was transferred to the trauma care unit of the prestigious RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata. Despite all medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries on Thursday night, four days after the initial assault.
Acting swiftly, Khardah Police registered a murder case. By Friday, investigators had arrested four individuals in connection with the crime. The arrested persons have been named as Deep Adhikari, Debajit Das, Shivam Das, and Akash Naskar. The Barrackpore court remanded all four to police custody on the same day.
During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that the attack was carried out on the specific instructions of Deep Adhikari. This revelation has become a central point in the ongoing investigation.
Political Fallout and Demands for Accountability
The incident has escalated beyond a criminal case, entering the realm of political accountability. Opposition parties have launched sharp criticisms and demanded answers because the Panihati Festival is organized under the supervision of Panihati TMC MLA Nirmal Ghosh. They are questioning the security arrangements and overall management of the large-scale public event.
In response to the allegations, MLA Nirmal Ghosh stated that "no untoward incident was reported inside the venue." This statement contrasts with the police version of events that began with a scuffle inside the crowded concert ground, highlighting the conflicting narratives surrounding the case.
The death has cast a shadow over the community, raising serious concerns about public safety at major festivals and the effectiveness of security protocols. The police continue their probe to uncover the full motive and sequence of events that led to this fatal outcome.
