JU student arrested for arson at Trinamool office on campus, linked to ultra-left groups

Jadavpur University UG-1 Philosophy student Soumyadeep Mahato was arrested on Wednesday evening in connection with the arson at the Trinamool Shiksha Bandhu Samity office on campus. He was summoned for questioning at 5:30 PM at Jadavpur police station, following which his family was informed over the phone about his arrest. According to sources, Mahato is affiliated with DSF (Arts Wing) and The Collective, both ultra-leftist student organizations.

The incident occurred on March 1, during Webcupa’s annual general meeting, when clashes broke out between left-wing student groups and Trinamool Chhatra Parishad (TMCP) over student union elections and other demands. Amid the unrest, a group of protestors stormed the Shiksha Bandhu office, vandalized it, and set it on fire. Demonstrators also deflated the tyres of Education Minister Bratya Basu’s car, who was present at the university at the time. Basu sustained minor injuries and received primary treatment at SSKM Hospital.

Earlier, police had arrested former JU student Sahil in connection with the same incident. He was granted bail on Wednesday. During the investigation, more names surfaced, including Mahato. Police officials have stated that Mahato is being interrogated to identify other individuals involved in the violence. The authorities are also analyzing CCTV footage and digital evidence to track the sequence of events leading to the arson.

The situation at Jadavpur University remains tense, with heightened security measures in and around the campus. Law enforcement officials have indicated that further arrests may follow as the investigation into the March 1 violence continues.