Five more arrested in Kolkata in connection with gangster’s ICU killing in Patna
Bengal and Bihar police jointly arrested more five individuals, including a woman, in Kolkata on Saturday night in connection with the killing of a gangster inside an intensive care unit (ICU) at a hospital in Patna, the capital of Bihar state. The arrests bring the total number of people detained in the case to 11. Earlier in the day, a joint operation by police forces from Bihar and West Bengal led to the arrest of five suspects from an apartment complex in New Town, a satellite township near Kolkata. Officials said four of the five detained there were directly involved in the killing. “The accused fled Patna immediately after the crime and took shelter in Kolkata. Their location was traced using mobile phone tracking,” a senior police officer told Press, adding that one of the five arrested may have helped the suspects hide rather than taking part in the killing itself. Authorities plan to seek transit remand for the accused to transfer them to Bihar. Later that evening, a second police team raided a guest house in Kolkata’s Anandapur neighbourhood, where five more suspects were taken into custody. The suspects had checked into the guest house on Friday, producing valid identification documents and renting two air-conditioned rooms on the third floor. One of the detainees was injured during the raid and was taken away in an ambulance, witnesses said. The guest house owner, speaking to local media, said she had no reason to suspect the group. “They behaved normally and had all proper ID. We’ve been running this guest house since 2018, and never faced such an incident,” she said. The police contacted her around Saturday evening, after which her husband and son rushed to the premises. Residents of the area reported a heavy police presence around 7:30–8:00 p.m., with armed personnel cordoning off the building. CCTV footage had earlier captured a car heading towards Kolkata from Patna, which helped investigators narrow their search. The individuals arrested in Anandapur have been identified as Sachin Singh, Harish Kumar, Tausif, and Yunus Khan, along with an unnamed woman. The nature of their roles in the killing is still under investigation. The fatal shooting of the gangster inside a hospital ICU has shocked residents and raised concerns about law and order in the region. Police say investigations are ongoing and further arrests have not been ruled out.
Bengal’s Opposition Leader Welcomes Court Order in BJP Worker’s Murder Case Linked to Post-Poll Violence
The West Bengal’s Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Friday welcomed a court order sending three former police personnel to judicial custody in connection with the 2021 murder of BJP worker Abhijit Sarkar during alleged post-poll violence in the state. The case, now being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), centers on the killing of Sarkar in Kolkata’s Beleghata area shortly after the state assembly elections. Adhikari said Sarkar was “brutally beaten and strangled to death,” and claimed that even his pet animals were not spared during the attack. “After the 2021 Assembly elections, BJP workers were subjected to brutal post-poll violence across West Bengal,” Adhikari said in a post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). “Abhijit Sarkar’s horrific murder is a burning example. Many BJP workers lost their lives, women were assaulted, and thousands were forced to flee their homes—some even took refuge in camps in other states.” A city court on Friday remanded Subhajit Sen, then officer-in-charge of Narkeldanga police station (later promoted to ACP before retirement), sub-inspector Ratna Sarkar, and home guard Dipankar Debnath to judicial custody in connection with the case. During the hearing, the judge remarked, “What happens when protectors become predators?” Adhikari said the CBI probe was moving in the right direction and warned that “no perpetrator of post-poll violence will be spared.” He reiterated the BJP’s commitment to justice for Sarkar and all victims of the violence. “We will continue our fight until every criminal responsible for the post-poll atrocities is brought to justice,” Adhikari added, using the hashtag “#KillerMamata” in a pointed attack on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Court sends three policemen, TMC worker to jail over BJP worker’s murder in post-poll violence
A special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court on Friday ordered the judicial custody of four individuals, including three former police personnel and a Trinamul Congress (TMC) worker, in connection with the 2021 murder of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activist Abhijit Sarkar in Kolkata’s Kankurgachi area. The court directed that the four accused — former officer-in-charge of Narkeldanga Police Station Subhajit Sen, then sub-inspector Ratna Sarkar, home guard Dipankar Debnath, and TMC worker Sujata De — be remanded in judicial custody until 31 July. One of the officers has since retired. The CBI is probing the case, which stems from violence that erupted in West Bengal following the announcement of the state assembly election results in May 2021. Sarkar, a prominent member of the BJP-affiliated labour wing, was killed on the day of the election results. The latest arrests come days after the CBI filed a charge sheet naming 18 individuals in connection with the case. The three police personnel were not initially named in the charge sheet but appeared in court on Thursday and surrendered. Sarkar’s brother, Biswajit Sarkar, welcomed the court’s move but criticized the earlier inaction by local police. “Despite being named in complaints, the officer-in-charge was never taken into custody or investigated by the Kolkata Police, which instead promoted him,” he told reporters outside the court. Reacting to the development, West Bengal BJP president Sukanta Majumdar said, “This should serve as a lesson for those police officers who act as agents of the ruling TMC instead of upholding the Constitution.” Violence following the 2021 assembly polls led to several political and criminal investigations, with the BJP accusing the TMC of targeting its workers across the state — a charge the TMC has consistently denied. The case remains under investigation.
Controversy erupts over BDO’s gala birthday celebration inside office premises
A fresh controversy has erupted in West Bengal after a video surfaced showing a senior government officer celebrating her birthday with pomp inside her official chamber during work hours. The incident took place on July 14 at the office of the Block Development Officer (BDO) in Haringhata, Nadia district, where BDO Mahasweta Biswas was seen celebrating her birthday for nearly an hour with decorations, music, cake-cutting, and party accessories — all during regular office hours. The office, adorned with balloons and darkened for effect, resembled a banquet hall more than a government facility. As the clock struck noon, Biswas entered the room to the sound of the “Happy Birthday” song, greeted by staff wearing party hats and a table laid with a large birthday cake. The celebration temporarily brought official work to a halt, while citizens waited outside the office to seek redressal for various grievances. “Rules took a backseat that day,” said a local resident standing outside the office during the event. The incident comes just days after a similar video went viral from East Burdwan, where Rajneesh Kumar Yadav, the BDO of Burdwan–I block, celebrated a pre-wedding ritual in his office on July 4, drawing criticism on social media. Kalyani Sub-Divisional Officer Dr. Abhijit Samanta told reporters, “This should not happen in a government office. Sometimes these things are done by staff without informing the officer. But if it disrupts public service and creates inconvenience to citizens, it is certainly inappropriate.” However, Biswas defended the celebration, saying, “There’s nothing unusual about it. I don’t see anything wrong. It was a simple gesture by my staff, and perhaps the decorations went a bit overboard because of the affection they have for me.” The incidents have sparked debate over the appropriateness of holding personal celebrations in government offices, raising questions about official decorum and accountability in public service.
Trump Says He’s “Disappointed But Not Done” with Putin, Reaffirms Support for NATO
WASHINGTON, July 16: U.S. President Donald Trump said he remains “disappointed but not done” with Russian President Vladimir Putin, in a wide-ranging phone interview with an international news service marking one year since the attempt on Trump’s life at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. Speaking from the Oval Office on Monday, Trump addressed rising tensions with Russia, reiterating his demand for a ceasefire in Ukraine within 50 days and announcing plans to send additional U.S. weapons to Kyiv. The president also warned of “severe tariffs” on Moscow if no peace agreement is reached. Asked whether he trusted the Russian leader, Trump responded bluntly: “I trust almost no one.” Trump said he had believed on four separate occasions that a peace deal with Russia was within reach, only for the efforts to collapse. “I’ll say: ‘That’s good, I think we’re close to getting it done,’ and then he’ll knock down a building in Kyiv,” he said, referring to Putin. “I’m disappointed in him, but I’m not done with him.” The 20-minute call came after discussions about a formal interview to commemorate the anniversary of Trump surviving an assassination attempt during a campaign event. Asked whether the incident had changed him, Trump said he prefers not to dwell on it. “I don’t like to think about if it did change me… Dwelling on it could be life-changing.” In contrast to his previous criticism of NATO as “obsolete,” Trump expressed full support for the alliance after meeting with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte earlier in the day. “I think NATO is now becoming the opposite of that,” he said, noting that member nations are “paying their own bills.” Trump also reaffirmed his belief in NATO’s principle of collective defense, saying it ensures that smaller countries can defend themselves from larger adversaries. On the United Kingdom, Trump called it a “great place” and confirmed he would make an unprecedented second state visit in September. “Have a good time and respect King Charles, because he’s a great gentleman,” Trump said of his goals for the trip. The interview highlighted Trump’s evolving stance on global alliances and foreign adversaries as he looks ahead to the 2026 general election cycle.
BJP alleges political motive behind move by TMC to hold protest over harassment of Bengalis
KOLKATA, 16 JULY: Leader of Opposition in Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari today said that in the name of Bengali sentiment, the ruling Trunmul Congress is trying to gain electoral profit. He accused Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is taking the help from other than Bengali IAS and IPS officers to run the state administration and constantly depriving the Bengal officials to get their proper administrative positions. West Bengal’s ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) will hold a protest rally in Kolkata on Wednesday over alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in several Indian states, a move the party claims is aimed at protecting Bengali identity. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will lead the rally, with her nephew and party’s national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee also expected to participate after a long public absence. The TMC alleges that Bengali-speaking individuals have repeatedly faced discrimination in other Indian states, where they were labelled as “Bangladeshi” and subjected to humiliation. The party said it had raised the issue with the Central government and respective state authorities but received no response, prompting the decision to launch a street protest. However, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accused the TMC of using the “Bengali identity” issue as a political ploy ahead of upcoming elections. “TMC has suddenly rediscovered Bengali pride only because elections are nearing,” Adhikari wrote in a detailed post on X, formerly Twitter. “This is nothing but a veiled attempt to shield illegal immigrants — including Rohingyas and Bangladeshis — under the guise of protecting Bengalis.” Adhikari further alleged that the state government itself has sidelined senior Bengali officials from top administrative positions. “Why were senior Bengali bureaucrats like Atri Bhattacharya and Subrata Gupta ignored for the Chief Secretary post, and Manoj Panth, a junior, appointed instead? Why was IPS officer Sanjay Mukherjee replaced by Rajeev Kumar, an outsider, as DGP?” he asked. He also questioned the government’s silence on the plight of thousands of qualified Bengali youths who lost teaching jobs due to corruption scandals, saying Mamata Banerjee’s concern for Bengali identity seems selective. “When thousands of genuine Bengali candidates are protesting on the streets after being denied teaching jobs due to scams, the Chief Minister turns a blind eye. But she rushes to defend the rights of people who may be illegal immigrants,” Adhikari wrote. The protest comes amid growing political tension in West Bengal, with the TMC and BJP engaged in a fierce battle over issues of identity, governance, and corruption. The BJP has launched a nationwide drive to identify and deport undocumented immigrants, which TMC leaders claim is targeting Bengali-speaking populations in several states. No immediate response was available from the Union Home Ministry on TMC’s allegations or Adhikari’s claims.
Sex worker from Bangladesh found murdered at Matia: Police launch investigation
KOLKATA, 16 JULY: The brutal murder of a Bangladeshi sex worker has triggered panic in the Matia police station area of North 24 Parganas district, officials said today. According to police sources, the victim, believed to be around 25 years old, had been brought into India illegally by traffickers and was sold into a red-light district near Matia, where she had been working for the past few years. She lived alone in a rented room adjacent to the area. The incident occurred on Monday evening when local residents, noticing that the woman had not responded to repeated calls, peered through her window and found her lying motionless on the bed, with visible blood stains on her face. They alerted police, who recovered the body and sent it for post-mortem to the Basirhat District Hospital morgue. “She appears to have been murdered inside her rented room. We are investigating whether a client or someone else was behind the killing,” said a police officer from Matia station. No arrests have been made so far, and the identity of the assailant remains unknown. The victim’s body has not yet been claimed, and police say they have not been able to trace her family in Bangladesh. Authorities suspect the woman was trafficked across the border by a broker, but said the details of her entry and subsequent placement in the red-light area are still under investigation. The incident has sparked outrage among local residents, with many demanding increased safety measures and stricter crackdowns on cross-border trafficking networks.
India Urges Bangladesh to Halt Demolition of Satyajit Ray’s Ancestral Home
DHAKA/KOLKATA, July 16: India has urged Bangladesh’s interim government to reconsider the demolition of the ancestral home of legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray, after reports emerged that the property in Mymensingh district is being razed by local authorities. The residence, located on Harikishore Ray Chowdhury Road, once belonged to Ray’s grandfather, renowned writer and publisher Upendrakishore Ray Chowdhury. The site had been used by the Bangladesh Shishu Academy but has reportedly been lying in disrepair for over a decade. Bangladesh’s interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus following the recent ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s administration, has initiated demolition of the house citing safety concerns. Local child affairs officer Mohammad Mehedi Zaman told The Daily Star that the structure is at risk of collapse and will be replaced by a semi-concrete building. The development has sparked a political and cultural backlash across the border in India. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee raised strong objections on Tuesday, urging the Bangladesh authorities to preserve the historic site and calling on New Delhi to intervene. Following her appeal, India’s Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement highlighting the property’s historical and cultural significance. “The ancestral home of Satyajit Ray is not just an architectural structure but a symbol of shared heritage and literary excellence. We urge the Bangladesh government to preserve and restore the site instead of demolishing it,” the statement said. India has offered technical and financial assistance for the restoration and proposed converting the property into a literary museum, which officials say could further deepen the cultural ties between the two nations. The incident follows recent attacks on homes of other prominent Bengali cultural icons in Bangladesh. Just weeks ago, unidentified vandals damaged the ancestral estate of Rabindranath Tagore in Kushtia, raising concerns over the protection of heritage sites amid political instability. According to the Bangladesh Department of Archaeology, Ray’s ancestral home is over 100 years old and was taken over by the government following the 1947 Partition. Ray, who passed away in 1992, remains one of the most influential figures in global cinema. His works, including the iconic Apu Trilogy, have earned him international acclaim and India’s highest civilian honours. Cultural commentators in both countries are urging Dhaka to preserve the home as a tribute to Ray’s legacy and a testament to the shared cultural fabric of Bengal that transcends borders.
Tesla Launches First India Showroom in Mumbai with Model Y SUVs
July 15, 2025: Tesla Inc. has officially entered the Indian market, opening its first showroom in the country on Monday in Mumbai’s upscale Bandra Kurla Complex. The 4,000 sq ft showroom, known as the “Tesla Experience Center,” was inaugurated on Tuesday morning by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. “We welcome Tesla to India,” Fadnavis said at the event. “The company has chosen the right state and the right city to begin its journey. We are fully prepared to collaborate and ensure a mutually beneficial relationship.” Tesla’s entry comes after years of negotiations and speculation regarding the EV maker’s India plans. According to sources, the monthly lease for the Mumbai showroom is pegged at INR 3.5 million (approx. $42,000), underscoring the brand’s high-end positioning. The Mumbai outlet features Tesla’s popular electric SUV, the Model Y, with six units imported from the company’s Shanghai facility ahead of the launch. The available variants include the Long Range Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) and Long Range All-Wheel Drive (AWD), both in dark grey. Equipped with voice command, wireless charging, and internet connectivity, the cars are being marketed as high-tech and premium. The starting price for the Model Y in India has been set at INR 5.989 million ($71,800). However, high import duties — ranging from 70% to 100% — continue to pose a challenge for Tesla’s pricing strategy in the country. CEO Elon Musk has previously expressed frustration over India’s steep tariffs, calling them a barrier to broader market access. Tesla’s India debut comes amid a broader government push toward electric mobility and follows recent policy changes aimed at encouraging foreign EV manufacturers. More showrooms are expected in New Delhi and Bengaluru later this year.
Fake Gold Scam Uncovered in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, Kolkata Police Arrest Key Accused
KOLKATA, July 15: Kolkata Police have arrested a key member of a nationwide fake gold racket operating out of Bharatpur in Rajasthan, exposing a wide network of fraudsters who have been producing counterfeit gold jewellery and using it to secure loans across India. According to police officials, the accused, identified as Dharam Singh, was arrested in Bharatpur during a covert operation led by officers from the city’s Parnasree police station. The operation followed the death of a suspected fraudster who was lynched in Kolkata’s Parnasree area after allegedly trying to use fake gold to secure a loan. Another accused was seriously injured in the same incident, prompting a deeper investigation. Dharam Singh, said to be a key figure in the syndicate, was apprehended by officers posing as buyers of fake gold. Several counterfeit ornaments were recovered from him at the time of arrest. The investigation revealed that multiple small-scale factories in Bharatpur are manufacturing fake gold jewellery that closely resembles real gold, both in appearance and weight, making detection difficult without thorough testing. The counterfeit items are often pawned to obtain large sums in loans rather than sold outright. Parnasree police traced the operation to Bharatpur after interrogating Deepak Singh, who was arrested for attempting to secure a ₹1.1 million ($13,000) loan using fake gold. He disclosed information that led the officers to the inter-state racket’s hub. However, Kolkata Police faced resistance while conducting raids in Bharatpur, which lies near the borders of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. Local law enforcement allegedly discouraged night-time operations, citing safety concerns due to the area’s proximity to the Chambal ravines, a region historically known for criminal hideouts. Upon learning of the impending crackdown, several gang members reportedly fled towards Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Despite this, Dharam Singh was successfully apprehended and brought to Kolkata for interrogation. Police say further raids may be conducted in Bharatpur to capture additional suspects identified during questioning. Authorities believe the racket has defrauded financial institutions and gold dealers across multiple states and are expanding the investigation in coordination with other state police forces.
