The Calcutta High Court on Thursday released a petition filed by the family of two victims of the Murshidabad communal violence, who alleged harassment by the police. The division bench, led by Justice Soumen Sen, ruled that the matter should be sent to a designated bench responsible for cases involving allegations of police inaction and overreach.
The petition, filed by the widows of Haragobinda Das and his son Chandan, accuses the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate of intimidating and mistreating the bereaved family. Both Haragobinda Das and Chandan were reportedly hacked to death by rioters on April 12 in Samserganj, Murshidabad, amid protests over the controversial Waqf (Amendment) Act.
The family had earlier approached a single bench of the High Court, presided over by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh. However, the single bench declined to hear the matter, citing that a division bench was already handling related cases concerning the Murshidabad violence.
It was submitted to the court that the family had taken refuge in Salt Lake to file the petition and alleged that officers from the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate forcibly entered the house, broke the door, and verbally abused them.
The division bench’s order now returns the matter to the Chief Justice of the High Court, who will assign it to the appropriate bench for further hearing.
The communal violence in Murshidabad last month has led to several legal challenges, with families of victims seeking both justice and protection from alleged police excesses.
