Gangasagar resident accuses four policemen of torture for protesting soil excavation; case filed in two courts

A serious allegation of police brutality has surfaced just ahead of the Gangasagar Mela. Raju Mandal, a resident of Gangasagar, has filed cases in both the Kolkata High Court and Kakdwip Court against four police personnel, including Gangasagar Sub-Divisional Police Station Officer Partha Saha. He has accused them of inhumane assault after he objected to soil excavation from the river basin.

According to Raju Mandal, he had stopped a vehicle that was allegedly digging and transporting soil illegally. Soon after, several policemen forcibly picked him up from the road, pushed him into a vehicle, and took him to Bathing Ghat No. 1. There, he claims he was beaten severely and coerced into signing a blank sheet declaring he had no objection to the excavation work.

Raju further stated that he lost consciousness due to the assault. He alleged that the policemen revived him by pouring river water into his mouth and later took him to the police station. At the station, he claims Officer Partha Saha beat him again, covering his mouth with a towel to muffle his cries and stepping on his feet with boots, causing unbearable pain.

To cover up the assault, Raju alleges that the police filed a false drunk-driving case against him and sent him to Kakdwip court. After securing bail, he underwent a second medical examination and, based on the report, filed cases against OC Partha Saha, SI Sheikh Masood, ASI Shyamal Das and Constable Santu Sau. The incident has created tension in the area, raising serious questions about police conduct at a time when Gangasagar Mela preparations are underway.