Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday met the family of a TMC worker who allegedly died in police custody in the North 24 Parganas district and said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident.
He also announced a Rs 10 lakh aid from the CM Relief fund to the bereaved family and a government job for the victim’s wife. BJP MLA Arjun Singh, senior police officials and local leaders accompanied Adhikari during his visit.
This came a day after former chief minister Mamata Banerjee faced a hostile crowd during her visit to the deceased party worker’s home in Halisahar, with the mob surrounding her vehicle, hurling “thief” abuse at her and throwing mud and slippers at the convoy.
His wife has alleged that Keot was beaten inside the police lock-up and died. The police have not immediately responded to the allegation.
Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday visited the family of a TMC worker who allegedly died in police custody in North 24 Parganas and announced a magisterial inquiry into the incident, along with Rs 10 lakh financial assistance and a government job for the victim’s wife.
Adhikari met the family of Birju Keot, husband of former Kanchrapara municipal councillor Jeni Sharma Keot, at their residence. BJP MLA Arjun Singh, senior police officials and local leaders accompanied him.
Keot was arrested on charges of extortion and other offences, produced before a court on Friday and remanded in police custody for five days. His death was reported on Saturday.
His wife has alleged that Keot was beaten inside the police lock-up and died. The police have not immediately responded to the allegation.
After meeting Adhikari, Keot’s wife said the family had faith in the administration but had serious complaints against officials of the Halisahar police station.
Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said the inspector-in-charge of Halisahar police station had been transferred to the police lines, while the investigating officer had been suspended in connection with Keot’s death.
“It is clear as daylight that the man died in custody and police negligence is established. The exact circumstances leading to his death would be clear after the post-mortem report arrives,” he said.
Adhikari said a magisterial inquiry had been ordered and Rs 10 lakh from the CM Relief Fund would be provided to the bereaved family. He also announced a government job for Keot’s wife.
The state police chief and home secretary will monitor the case, while further action will be taken based on the findings of the magisterial inquiry and the post-mortem report, he said.
Adhikari said a notification regarding the inquiry would be issued later on Monday.
Adhikari attacks Mamata over Halisahar visit
The chief minister also criticised former chief minister Mamata Banerjee over her visit to Halisahar a day earlier, when her convoy was surrounded by a crowd that allegedly hurled abuses and threw mud and slippers at her vehicles.
Banerjee had alleged that BJP workers were involved in the incident. Adhikari denied any involvement of his party and described the protest as an expression of “deep public anger” against her.
“She has Z+ security. Did she inform the Director of Security or the CP? For a VIP visit, personnel have to be mobilised. It takes time,” he said on Monday.
Adhikari, however, thanked the Barrackpore police commissioner for deploying personnel despite receiving no prior intimation about Banerjee’s visit.
He described the protest as a spontaneous expression of public anger over alleged corruption during the TMC rule and asked, “Does anyone die because of being hit by mud?
Contrasting his visit to Keot’s family with Banerjee’s tenure as chief minister, Adhikari alleged that 315 BJP workers were killed during her 15-year rule.
“I am the chief minister of the entire state, not of a political party. I went to the house of a TMC worker because it is my duty,” he said.
Referring to his own legal battles during the previous government, Adhikari said, “I went to the high court 104 times.”
“She should follow the Blue Book. She should not give me lessons on administration,” he said.
