Elderly couple alleges police harassment after tenant files complaint, sues Lake Police for extortion

Shekhar Bhoumik and his wife, Chhobi, both in their seventies, have filed a case against Lake Police in Kolkata after they were summoned in connection with a rental dispute. The couple had rented their property to a young man, but due to ongoing issues, they asked him to vacate the premises. In retaliation, the tenant filed a complaint at the Lake Police Station, which led to the issuance of a summons under Section 41A of the CrPC, requiring the elderly couple to appear at the station.

Despite Shekhar’s serious health condition—he is undergoing treatment for cancer—the couple traveled to the police station in an ambulance. Upon their arrival, Chhobi Bhoumik was questioned by the police. The elderly couple alleges that during this questioning, police officers demanded money from them. They also claim that the police officer threatened to call them to the station every day. Furthermore, the couple has raised concerns over the absence of a female officer during Chhobi’s questioning, which they argue violates legal provisions that mandate a female officer’s presence when questioning women.

The couple has now filed a petition in the Kolkata High Court, challenging the police's actions. Their petition claims that the police violated several legal guidelines, including the summons of elderly individuals in an ambulance and the lack of a female officer during the questioning of a woman. The petition also points out the excessive use of authority, given the minor nature of the dispute. The case is scheduled to be heard by Justice Tirthankar Ghosh on Monday.

This incident has sparked public attention regarding police conduct, particularly in cases involving vulnerable individuals such as the elderly. The outcome of the legal proceedings could have implications for how similar situations are handled by law enforcement in the future.