Chandranath Sinha appears before ED
West Bengal’s Minister of Jails and Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Chandranath Sinha, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office this morning in connection with the primary school recruitment scam. Although the ED had sought his custody for questioning, a court rejected their plea on Wednesday. As per the court’s order, while the ED cannot take the minister into custody at this time, they are allowed to question him at their office. Minister Sinha has stated that he is fully cooperating with the investigation. Today morning, Sinha — who is also the Trinamul Congress (TMC) MLA from Bolpur — arrived at the ED’s office located in the CGO Complex. Speaking briefly to reporters before entering, Sinha said he would assist with the probe. He was seen entering the office empty-handed, and sources indicate that the ED has not yet asked him to submit any documents. Sinha had earlier surrendered before the court on September 6 in connection with the alleged corruption in primary teacher recruitment. The ED had then requested custody, but the court granted him bail with conditions. As per those conditions, the minister is barred from leaving Kolkata or his assembly constituency until the hearings in this case is concluded. The court has also instructed him to appear in person before the ED on both Thursday and Friday to assist with the investigation.
Seven killed, over 20 injured in Odisha road accident
As many as seven people were killed and more than 20 injured, around 12 of them seriously, when a truck hit a private passenger bus in Odisha’s Sundargarha district today, police said. The deceased included the bus conductor, four women and two men. The identity of the deceased in the mishap on National Highway 520 under Koida Police station has not yet been ascertained. DIG Western Range Brijesh Ray said the accident occurred around 11 am when the bus was on its way from Rourkela to Koida. Ray said the seriously injured persons have been rushed to the hospital in IGH Rourkela. Police have been deployed in the area for the smooth conduct of the rescue operation and traffic flow.
Calcutta HC seeks report on electrocution deaths
The Calcutta High Court today directed the West Bengal government, Kolkata Municipal Corporation and CESC to submit a comprehensive report through affidavits on the city’s drainage systems and conditions and causes of so many deaths in the electrocution during unprecedented rains in the night of Monday-Tuesday. The court also sought a report if there are unauthorised constructions near rivers and canals by November 7. The court also asked the Calcutta Electric Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) to submit a report on why electrocution took place during the rain in the city on Monday night and in the wee hours of Tuesday. A double bench of Acting Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Apurba Sinha Ray following a PIL sought a report from the CESC on the electrocution incidents that led to the death of at least 8 people in different parts of the city after they came in contact with snapped wire on the city streets. The Bench directed the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to furnish details of what preventive action was taken and what steps initiated when the entire city was flooded. The report should also contain the sewage system to drain out the waters and why waters accumulated 24 hours after rains stopped, court sources said. The West Bengal government has been directed to clarify its action plans to safeguard the lives of the citizens and compensation for the victims’ families. At least 10 people died in electrocution incidents, with 8 fatalities in Kolkata and 2 in Bishnupur and Narendrapur in South 24 Parganas.
Monks protest at Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata over idol vandalism
Several Hindu organizations led by Mahamandaleswar Swami Paramatmananda Bhairav, Bengal head of Sri Panchayeti Mahanirbani Akhada in Bengal staged a demonstration outside the Bangladesh Deputy High Commission in Kolkata, protesting the reported vandalism of a Durga idol at Kashim Pure in Bangladesh. The protestors gathered near the mission, chanting slogans and demanding immediate steps to ensure the safety of Hindus in Bangladesh. The groups also submitted a deputation to Deputy High Commissioner officials, urging action and protection for minorities in the neighboring country. In a memorandum handed to the mission, the signatories including Swami Ranjitananda Giri, Mahamandaleswar of Juna Akhada condemned what they described as a “shocking act of intolerance” that deeply hurt the sentiments of Hindus. “This incident has caused widespread anguish among peace-loving people,” the letter stated. “The deputation laid out three key demands: swift punishment for those responsible for the vandalism, preventive measures to safeguard minority communities and their places of worship, and guarantees of security during religious and cultural festivals,” said Swami Paramatmananda Bhairav. Protestors said the targeting of Durga idols, particularly ahead of the upcoming festival season, was alarming and risked sparking further tensions. “We strongly urge the Bangladesh authorities to ensure that Hindus can celebrate their traditions without fear,” one protestor told reporters. The memorandum was also marked to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, the Indian Prime Minister’s Office, the Union Home Minister, the External Affairs Minister, the West Bengal government, and the Governor of West Bengal. Organizers said the protest was not only about the Kashim Pure incident but about a broader pattern of alleged attacks on minorities across Bangladesh. They appealed for bilateral intervention to protect religious harmony. There was a strong police presence around the mission to ensure order, and the demonstration remained peaceful. The Bangladesh Deputy High Commission had not immediately responded to the deputation. However, officials have previously said that the government in Dhaka is committed to protecting minority rights and punishing offenders involved in communal violence. For now, Hindu groups in Kolkata say they will continue to monitor the situation and press for assurances that such incidents will not be repeated.
