Flower trader shot at over ‘business rivalry’ in Gaighata
Times of India | 7 April 2025
123 Kolkata: A 52-year-old flower trader from Thakurnagar was shot and critically injured in a suspected case of business rivalry in North 24-Parganas' Gaighata on Sunday afternoon. The accused, also a flower trader, was arrested.
The incident took place near Bara Bakultala More, when the victim, Asutosh Biswas was returning home on his bicycle. Eyewitnesses said Biswas was shot at close range by miscreants on a motorcycle, who also allegedly hurled crude bombs before fleeing the spot.
Biswas, a resident of Krishnanagar in Gaighata and a known BJP worker, sustained bullet injuries to his hand and chest. Locals rushed him to Chandpara Gramin Hospital, but as his condition deteriorated, he was shifted first to Barasat Medical College and then to RG Kar Medical College and Hospital in Kolkata.
Police arrested Tapan Bala, reportedly also a BJP activist, in connection with the incident. Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack may have stemmed from an ongoing business dispute between the two men.
"The accused and the victim are both BJP workers. Prima facie, it appears to be a fallout of an old rivalry," said Arka Panja, SDPO, Bongaon.
Lipika Biswas, the victim's wife said, "My husband was returning after putting me on the train when armed men on a motorcycle opened fire at him from close range. They even hurled bombs to kill him on the spot."