Actors Parambrata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee face FIR over 2021 violence-related posts

An FIR has been registered at Gariahat Police Station against actors Parambrata Chatterjee and Swastika Mukherjee over social media posts linked to the post-poll violence that erupted in West Bengal following the 2021 Assembly election results. The complaint was filed by advocate Joydeep Sen, who alleged that remarks made by the actors on May 2, 2021 encouraged and instigated violence during a politically sensitive period when attacks on BJP workers were being reported across the state.

According to the complaint, Parambrata Chatterjee had posted on social media after the election results, writing in Bengali, “Let today be declared World ‘Rogorani’ thrashing Day.” Swastika Mukherjee allegedly responded to the post with “Hahahah Hok Hok” along with an emoji. The complainant alleged that the remarks contributed to an atmosphere of political hostility and could amount to abetment under Section 107 of the Indian Penal Code, since the alleged incident took place in 2021 before the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita came into force.

The complaint further stated that the social media exchange took place shortly before incidents of violence were reported from several districts across West Bengal. It also referred to the killing of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar in Beliaghata on the same day, alleging that comments made by influential public figures at that time could have encouraged political violence. The complaint additionally cited allegations of assaults, arson, intimidation and attacks on opposition supporters during the post-poll unrest.

Police confirmed that a complaint had been received at Gariahat Police Station and that an FIR had been registered in connection with the allegations. Investigators have initiated a probe into the matter and are examining the contents of the complaint and the social media posts referred to in it. The authenticity and legal implications of the posts are expected to be part of the investigation process.

The 2021 West Bengal Assembly election was conducted in eight phases between March 27 and April 29, with results declared on May 2. The period following the results witnessed multiple allegations of post-poll violence across the state, leading to political controversy and several investigations. According to the complaint, the social media interactions by the two actors occurred during the initial hours after the election outcome when tensions were escalating in different parts of Bengal.