Ex-Rajganj BDO, accused in Saltlake murder case, arrested after ‘drunk driving’ accident in New Town

Former Rajganj BDO Prashanta Barman was arrested on Tuesday morning by police from Eco Park Police Station after being detained overnight in New Town over allegations of drunk driving, reckless driving and causing an accident. Police are expected to produce him before the Barasat court and seek custody for further interrogation. Investigators from the Bidhannagar detective department also want to question him in connection with the murder case of businessman Swapan Kamilya.

According to allegations, the incident took place around 10:30 pm on Monday near the City Centre 2 area in New Town. Witnesses claimed Barman was driving a black Mahindra SUV after consuming alcohol at a nearby bar when he allegedly lost control of the vehicle near the road leading to the Ram Mandir beside City Centre 2 and hit a pedestrian. Eyewitnesses alleged the victim suffered serious leg injuries during the incident.

Locals reportedly prevented Barman from leaving the spot after the accident. Videos recorded by bystanders later circulated on social media showing a man allegedly identified as Barman sitting behind the steering wheel. Witnesses also alleged that he attempted to stop people from filming and covered his face with a mask. Police from Eco Park Police Station later reached the scene, detained him and kept him at the police station overnight before formally arresting him on Tuesday morning.

Prashanta Barman has already been under investigation in the murder case of New Town gold trader Swapan Kamilya. According to allegations, Swapan was abducted on October 28 last year and taken to a house in New Town’s AB Block over suspicions that he had purchased stolen gold from Barman’s North Bengal residence. The victim was allegedly assaulted by Barman and his associates before his mutilated body was recovered the next day near the Bagjola canal-side area at Jatragachhi. The victim’s family subsequently filed kidnapping and murder charges at Bidhannagar South Police Station.

Police had earlier arrested four accused in the murder case, including driver Raju Dhali, contractor Tufan Thapa, Trinamool leader Sajal Sarkar and driver Vivekananda Sarkar. Although Barman initially secured anticipatory bail from lower courts, the Calcutta High Court later cancelled the relief and directed him to surrender. He subsequently approached the Supreme Court of India, which also directed him to surrender by January 23. However, police alleged that he remained absconding for nearly four months. Questions had also earlier been raised regarding his recruitment as a BDO officer, with allegations claiming manipulation of examination marks during his appointment process.