3 held for attack on cancer patient, kin during Kali Puja immersion

KOLKATA: More than two days after a 51-year-old cancer patient and his family members were allegedly assaulted and threatened by some local youths for protesting against bursting of illegal and noisy firecrackers, the police have arrested three persons in this regard. The Regent Park police said that there was enough evidence — after both the victim’s family and witnesses recorded their statements — against the accused.The cops were earlier accused of dragging their feet in the case with the victims alleging that the accused were merely served notices to join probe.
“We have arrested the accused identified as Bhakta Das (43), Sukumar Mondal (42) and Ashim Haldar (28). Further investigation is on to identify the other accused,” said an investigating officer. Along with charges pertaining to assault, the cops have also slapped relevant sections for illegal bursting of crackers. “We had to find specific evidence since two of the victims, Chhanda Chatterjee and her son Subham, were reluctant to get their medical tests, which could have proved assault conclusively, done. We had followed certain Supreme Court guidelines before arresting the accused. We will file chargesheet soon,” said police.

However, the day’s action was not limited to cops only. Legal Aid Centre, Sabujer Samaroho — an NGO dealing with atrocities against under privileged and environment protection laws — on Monday took up the case of Sandip Chatterjee, the 51-year old cancer patient and a resident of Bansdroni Kalibari, who was attacked by the local youths during immersion of Kali idol last Friday.
Biswajit Mukherjee, former senior law officer of West Bengal Pollution Control Board and the present president of the NGO, on Monday met Chatterjee, his wife Chhanda and took details of the incident. Partha Sen, the neighbour who came to the rescue of Chatterjee family and was later attacked, also spoke to Mukherjee.
Mukherjee said based on the evidence that he had collected from the family and neighbours, he would approach the home secretary and police commissioner so that the accused could be taken to task. He also wondered how could the local police station refused to take action promptly despite a clear verdict by the Supreme Court on bursting of crackers.
Chhanda expressed apprehension that if the accused were not taken into custody they might do harm to her family, especially her sons. She broke down in front of Mukherjee pointing to the deteriorating condition of her husband.