kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, October 12: Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and eminent lawyer Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya has been served notices by Kolkata Police directing him to appear at two separate police stations on October 13 and 14. The notices have reportedly been issued by Garfa and Kasba police stations. The development comes days after an alleged attack on the CPI(M) leader’s residence in the Purba Lok area near EM Bypass, followed by his strong reaction on social media, in which he accused alleged Hindutva elements of being behind the incident.

Attempts were made on Monday morning to obtain Bhattacharya’s response to the police notices, but no statement was available from him at the time. The reasons for summoning him to the two police stations and the specific questions the police intend to ask have not been independently established in the information available.

The episode follows an incident last week when a group of unidentified youths allegedly arrived outside Bhattacharya’s residence during the morning. According to the allegations, the youths had covered their faces and concealed their motorcycle number plates with black cloth. They allegedly pelted stones at the residential premises, breaking windowpanes and causing concern among residents.

Following the incident, Bhattacharya took to social media and strongly criticised the alleged attack. He claimed that the incident was a planned act and accused what he described as “Hindutva miscreants” of being involved. His remarks triggered a political controversy, drawing a sharp response from the state’s political leadership.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari criticised Bhattacharya’s statement and stressed that nobody would be allowed to disturb law and order or create an atmosphere of unrest in the state. The Chief Minister said the police had arrested the main accused in connection with the alleged attack. He also objected to the remarks made on Bhattacharya’s verified social media account, arguing that allegations targeting the entire Hindu community were highly objectionable.

The Chief Minister warned that the government would not tolerate what he described as attempts to spread misinformation or create communal tension. He also indicated that strict legal action could be taken in cases involving such allegations. The police notices to Bhattacharya have now brought the controversy into a new phase, although the precise legal basis for the summonses and the issues to be examined during his appearance remain unclear.

The alleged attack on the veteran CPI(M) leader’s residence and the subsequent political exchange have attracted attention in Kolkata’s political circles. The incident has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the attack, the identity of those allegedly involved and the political implications of the accusations made afterwards.

While the police have reportedly arrested a suspect in connection with the attack, the investigation into the incident and the circumstances leading to the notices issued to Bhattacharya remain important aspects of the developing case. The veteran leader’s response to the summonses is also awaited.

With Garfa and Kasba police stations directing Bhattacharya to appear on October 13 and 14 respectively, attention is now focused on the next stage of the police inquiry. Further details are expected to emerge as the investigation progresses and the circumstances surrounding both the alleged attack and the subsequent statements are examined.