Suspended TMC Councillor and Lawyer Arrested on Murder Charges in Barrackpore
Rabindranath Bhattacharya, a suspended Trinamool Congress councillor from Ward No 23 in North Barrackpore Municipality, has been arrested and charged with murder following the death of an 81-year-old man, Tulsi Adhikari. Bhattacharya, who also serves as the secretary of the Barrackpore Bar Association and is a senior lawyer, was taken into custody on Sunday after an FIR was filed accusing him of assaulting Adhikari, which allegedly led to the victim's demise.
Legal Proceedings and Police Investigation
Bhattacharya was formally charged under section 101 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for murder. He was produced before a Barrackpore court on Monday afternoon, where he was remanded in police custody for seven days. Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, with plans to further interrogate the accused. An officer involved in the case stated, "An investigation is on, and the accused will be further interrogated. We are also waiting for the autopsy report to know the exact cause of the victim's death." This report is expected to provide critical details on whether the assault directly caused Adhikari's death.
Background of the Incident and Dispute
The tragic incident occurred on Sunday during a heated dispute in Barrackpore's Manirampur area near Bally Ghat. Adhikari confronted Bhattacharya to object to a three-storey unauthorized construction adjacent to his house. According to Malay Ghosh, chairman of North Barrackpore Municipality, "The objection of the Adhikari family against the unauthorised construction was already registered and the construction was stopped." Despite this, tensions escalated, leading to the alleged assault. Bhattacharya has denied all allegations against him, maintaining his innocence even as he was arrested.
Political Fallout and Public Reaction
In response to the arrest, hundreds of BJP supporters, led by former Barrackpore MP Arjun Singh, launched an agitation in front of the Barrackpore Court on Monday. They demanded capital punishment for Bhattacharya and even blocked BT Road with a roadblock, causing disruptions. The Trinamool Congress has taken disciplinary action by suspending Bhattacharya for six years, distancing itself from the controversy. This case highlights ongoing tensions in the region, with political rivalries intensifying over local governance and construction issues.
The arrest of a prominent figure like Bhattacharya, who holds multiple roles as a councillor, lawyer, and bar association secretary, underscores the serious nature of the allegations. As the investigation progresses, more details are likely to emerge, potentially impacting the political landscape in Barrackpore and beyond.
