Bengali actors Parambrata Chattopadhyay and Swastika Mukherjee are facing legal scrutiny after a First Information Report (FIR) was registered against them over alleged social media posts linked to the 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence. The complaint, filed at Kolkata’s Gariahat Police Station, alleges that remarks made by the actors on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after the Assembly election results may have contributed to political hostility during the violent clashes that followed across the state.
Details of the Complaint
The FIR also references the killing of a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) worker, Abhijit Sarkar, and seeks action under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) related to abetment. Police have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway. As of now, neither actor has issued a public response to the allegations.
Background of the Case
The 2021 West Bengal post-poll violence erupted after the Assembly election results were declared, leading to widespread clashes between political rivals. The actors’ social media posts from that period are now being scrutinized for their potential role in escalating tensions.
Parambrata Chattopadhyay, known for his work in Bengali cinema and the Bollywood film Kahaani, and Swastika Mukherjee, a prominent actress in Bengali and Hindi films, have not yet commented on the FIR. Legal experts suggest that the case could hinge on the interpretation of their posts and whether they incited violence.
Current Status
Police have begun collecting evidence, including archived copies of the posts, and are expected to question the actors in the coming days. The development has sparked debate about freedom of expression and the accountability of public figures for their online statements.
