Bengal CM meets kin of TMC worker who died in police custody, orders magisterial probe
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 offered Rs 10 lakh from the CM Relief fund to the bereaved family. 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 a mob surrounding her vehicle, hurling "thief" abuse at her and throwing mud and slippers at the convoy.
Birju Keot, the husband of former Kanchrapara municipal councillor Jeni Sharma Keot, was arrested in connection with extortion and other charges. He was 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. There was no immediate response from the police to the allegation.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the deceased's kin, Adhikari said the inspector in-charge of the Halisahar police station has been "closed", and the investigating officer has also been suspended in connection with Keot's death.
Once a police officer is "closed", the personnel is removed from active command of that station and sent to compulsory waiting.
A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the incident, the chief minister said, adding that Rs 10 lakh aid from the CM Relief fund has been offered to the victim's family.
Even though Banerjee alleged involvement of BJP workers in the alleged attack on her convoy, Adhikari had denied any involvement of the party in the incident, saying the protest reflected "deep public anger" against her.
He had asserted that since the former chief minister had "committed so much theft", she would have to hear people call her a "thief".
