West Bengal: 3 Days After DYFI Activist’s Death, Another Allegedly Tortured in Custody

Kolkata: The custodial torture of Dipankar Sengupta, an activist of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), allegedly for taking part in a road embargo programme has left the people of West Bengal dismayed.

The latest case of torture has come to light just a few days after another DYFI activist, Moidul Islam Middya succumbed to his injuries after being beaten up by WB Police during a protest march on February 11, to the Secretariat demanding employment and education.

Sengupta’s situation is so severe that even the concerned Judge Sangita Chatterjee came down from her pedestal and examined the torturous assault on the DYFI activist.

Later, she passed several judgements enquiring about the police version of the injuries sustained on the DYFI activists neck, collar bone, cheeks, nose, vack and other parts of the body.

Sengupta was a part of the road blockade which occurred spontaneously as the activists were waiting to receive the body of Middya on February 17. As per reports, an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) was allegedly heckled for making some insensitive comment about the DYFI martyr.

While video footage shared by news channels show that the leadership of Students Federation of India and DYFI attempting to calm down the situation which had become heated following the alleged insensitive comments by the police present on the ground.

Reportedly, on the same night, a group of four-five police officials in plain clothes visited Sengupta’s house at Bangur Avenue in North 24 Parganas district and and allegedly started beating him in front of his family members.

Following this, they first took him to Tala park and then Sealdah and other places at Maidan, before taking him to Taltala Police Station, according to reports. It has also been alleged that the policemen continued to attack the activist throughout the ride.

Also read: Tension Runs High as DYFI Activist Injured During Nabanna Movement Dies in Kolkata

Later, Sengupta  detailed this ordeal to MLA Tanmay Bhattacharya and his lawyers. A group of 50 lawyers appeared for him at the court on February 17.

Speaking with NewsClick about the incident, DYFI state president Meenakshi Mukherjee said that Sengupta’s arrest and torture is an attempt by the police to get rid of the guilt of the murder of Moidul Islam. “However, they (the police) have made their second mistake by torturing Dipankar,” she warned.

Notably, the police have booked 250 SFI and DYFI activists, including state leadership under non-bailable offences for blocking the road on February 17.

 SFI and DYFI have also lodged a writ petition in Kolkata High Court over the death of Moidul Islam Middya due to police lathicharge during the march to Nabanna (West Bengal Secretariat). “We will go to every legal judicial and quasi judicial forum available to us in this regard,” Mukherjee said, adding, “They have even violated the laws and we will make sure that they are answerable for that.”