FIR Registered Against Trinamool Candidate Pabitra Kar in Nandigram Assault Case
Police in Nandigram have taken a significant step by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against Trinamool Congress candidate Pabitra Kar on Thursday. The case involves serious allegations of assault, intimidation, and looting in the Krishnanagar area of Nandigram. This marks the first such legal action against any candidate since the model code of conduct was implemented for the elections.
Details of the Alleged Incident
The complaint was formally lodged by a local resident, Buddhadeb Giri, who provided a detailed account of the events. According to Giri, on April 6 at approximately 1:30 PM, he was confronted near a Vishnu temple by Pabitra Kar and three other individuals identified as Rajesh Khan, Akhil Khan, and Nasim Khan. The group allegedly pressured Giri to chant the political slogan "Joy Bangla." When he refused, they reportedly assaulted him with punches, kicks, and bamboo sticks.
In addition to the physical violence, Giri claimed that Rs 3,700 in cash and a wristwatch were taken from him during the incident. Following the assault, he received medical treatment at Reapara Rural Hospital. The Nandigram police station registered the case under relevant legal sections, but as of late Thursday evening, no arrests had been made in connection with the FIR.
Political Background and Controversy
The FIR emerged amidst ongoing political tensions, coming just a day after Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari raised concerns about Pabitra Kar's dual political status. Adhikari highlighted that Kar, who had won the 2023 panchayat elections from Bayal gram panchayat on a BJP ticket, joined the Trinamool Congress on March 17 in the presence of Abhishek Banerjee. He was subsequently fielded as a candidate from Nandigram.
Adhikari questioned the legality of an adult citizen being a member of two political parties simultaneously, asking, "Under which law can an adult citizen be a member of two political parties at the same time?" However, he clarified that he did not object during the scrutiny process and expressed his intention to defeat Kar through the electoral process instead.
Pabitra Kar could not be reached for comment regarding the allegations, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the case. The incident underscores the heightened political atmosphere in the region as elections approach, with law enforcement now actively involved in investigating the claims.
