Kolkata RG Kar College ransack: Cops picked up wrong people, say families of youths arrested for hospital vandalism
Times of India | 18 August 2024
Still from CCTV footage showing the moment the RG Kar main gate was being breached by the mob (right) KOLKATA: Families, friends and neighbours of at least two youths, who were arrested for vandalism at R G Kar Hospital on the night of Aug 15, have alleged their boys were not involved and that they were rounded up by police for being in the vicinity of the hospital to buy food-the wrong place at the wrong time. The mother of another arrested person even alleged innocent people were rounded up to "cover up something".
Ankita Das, fiancee of Karshani Raj Gupta from Bidhan Sarani, said Karshani was working at his home studio with his friends till 1 am and had "gone near RG Kar Hospital to pick up food". "We have CCTV footage of Karshani and his friends in the studio till 1 am. We will produce it in court through our lawyer," said Ankita. Karshani carries out audio mixing at his studio. According to Ankita, Karshani and his friends were caught in the melee and were arrested. Neighbours, too, corroborated that Karshani spent most of his time in Mumbai for work and was in Kolkata for a few days.
Abhijit Shaw, who was with Katshani that night, was also wrongfully arrested, claimed Abhijit's brother, Biswajit Shaw. The family lives on Goabagan Street. "My younger brother works at Karshani's studio and often stays there till late at night for projects. That night, too, they were working at the studio till 1 am. After that, they went out to buy food and police took them into custody," said Biswajit.
Shantanu Sarkar, an accountant who lives in Belgharia, had gone to join the protest march on the night of Aug 15, but he, too, was allegedly arrested despite not being involved in the vandalism of the hospital. His family claimed Shantanu had gone to the march straight from his office and did not return home thereafter. It was the next day that police informed the family that he had been arrested. Shantanu's mother, Geeta Sarkar, said, "My son was watching the vandalism, when police asked him if he was part of the march. When he said yes, police asked him to get in the car and took him away. I feel police are covering something up. He is not that kind of a person." Shantanu's father, Bidyut Sarkar, said, "He was in the procession at Sinthee More. Maybe he was taking photos on his mobile, but he had no aggressive role."
Tanvir Alam's family said police had been visiting their home at Belgachhia Basti since Thursday morning. "But we have no clue about his whereabouts. He would often stay away at night," said his brother, Noor Alam.