Police atrocities did not spare even a renowned journalist

Mr. Goutam Biswas an investigative journalist by profession was abused filthily and severely assaulted by the police, led by Inspector-In-Charge (IC) of Kasba Police Station, North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, Mr. Sankar Prasad Biswas, while the journalist was covering an incident of gross violation of human rights by atrocious act of the police. With such ghastly incident of torturing a renowned journalist, it is once again proved that the state hardly has any regard for these noble professionals serving the society as social watch groups.

Mr. Goutam Biswas residing at E- 40, Bagha Jatin, Kolkata – 86, is not only an eminent journalist but also Director of two very popular Television serials, namely LALBAZAR (Kolkata Police Head Quarter) & KHAS-TADANTA (Special Investigation). As the names suggest both the Television programs highlight the violation of human rights by police and administration and also deal with high level of corruption in the administration and on other burning social issues.

On the eventful day, Mr. Biswas was informed over a road blockade by some members of a family at 47C Bosepukur Road, infront of the Kasba Police Station adjoining to Rasbehari connector on EM Bypass at about 1.30 am at midnight of 16th September,’08. The road block took place on the issue of illegal dispossession by the police force from their legal possession.

104 years old lying in the street       to    get justice

Sankar Prasad Biswas, IC Kasba PS

After enquiring the matter he came to know that the family was forcibly evicted by police under a conspiracy with real estate developers. Other journalists too were present from different news channels and there were representatives of other organizations also. It was found that the victim-family members were lying on the road amongst whom, majority were women and children.

The police party led by the Inspector-in-Charge of Kasba Police Station, Mr. Shankar Prasad Biswas reached the spot in order to remove the protest. They filthily abused the protesting people while ordering them to clear the place immediately. While the mass protested against the police action, the police without paying any heed to it lifted an old woman and manhandled her, and continued with similar effort by bashing the women. The police team did not feel it necessary to interact with the people before taking forcible action neither did they have any women officer to handle the women. Male police officers abusing women and applying force was in itself violation of the law to which Mr.Goutam immediately protested and paid a high price for it. The police personnel were immediately directed by the inspector-in-charge to attack Mr.Goutam who was immediately caught and dragged by four policemen on the streets for as long as hundred meters. While dragging him towards their vehicle he was continuously kicked by the police and later he was thrown into the police lock up.

Police goons manhandling Mr. Gautam Biswas	Type of arrest making by West Bengal police

Needless to mention, he was inhumanly treated in the police lock up, where each police personnel welcomed other one to batter him and provided solace to their hands till he lost his senses under pain and shock. Apart from, the Inspector-In-Charge himself, the second officer of the Police Station, Mr. Malakar and the Sub-Inspector of Police, Chanchalbabu took leading role to inflict torture on him.

Gradually the IC realized the situation and threatened Mr. Goutam Biswas not to disclose the matter to any medico, which if not done he would be handed over to dreaded criminals to get killed.

Threatened by the police, Goutam had to accept his command in order to save his life under fear. He was gripped with fear of death under severe police threat at the dead end of night and thus he kept quiet before the doctor. He was brought to Bagha Jatin State General Hospital and casually examined by the attending medico, Dr. Arup Roy. With the completion of medical examination he was brought back to the police station where his friends and colleagues already reached.

To his surprise the Inspector-in-Charge had an abrupt change in his behaviour in presence of number of media persons; he was not only polite but also released the captive journalist on furnishing a personal bond by him. Later, as stated by Goutam who was mentally shattered “…in my whole career as journalist, I always heard about these kind of ruthless and heinous torture by police but today first time, I have got taste of it by my own..”.

Some marks of injuries at back	Mr. Gautam Biswas at hospital

Mr.Goutam have not only visited Chief Minister of the state of West Bengal in person who was reportedly shocked to see his injuries, and immediately called for a report. But the matter did not move fast thereafter in the administrative level for the reasons best known to efficient (!) government.

MASUM intervened the matter and approached the Governor of West Bengal, Chairman West Bengal Human Rights Commission, ADG (Crime), District Magistrate, SP South 24 parganas, DG and IGP, Govt. of West Bengal for immediate intervention in the matter. Though the Honourable Governor acknowledged the letter but no response of the complaint have come up from anybody till date.

The victim, Goutam filed Complaint case no. 2072C/08 against the concerned police officers in criminal court at Alipore. Though the court ordered enquiry by the Superintendent of Police of the District, but no report was submitted soon, later a report was placed before the court in favour of the police following which the case was dismissed.

Mr. Goutam Biswas preferred to move to Calcutta High Court against the order passed by the learned Chief Judicial Magistrate, Alipore Court. Mr. Debasis Banerjee, Advocate filed one revisional application before the Honourable High Court Calcutta regarding this matter. The application is pending for disposal before Calcutta High Court.

The reputed journalist was harassed because he discharged his duty with professional honesty but time and again he was denied of justice. Still he keeps faith in judiciary, and thus is still waiting for justice under strong wind of impunity enjoyed by police in this country…..