Video of siblings assaulting woman over property dispute in Barasat goes viral
Times of India | 13 April 2025
123 Kolkata: A shocking video has gone viral on social media, revealing a brutal case of domestic violence in Barasat, where an expatriate woman was allegedly assaulted by her own siblings over a property dispute just days after their mother's death.
The viral clip shows the woman, identified as Smita Dhar, in her early 30s, being mercilessly beaten by her sister, brother, and their respective spouses inside a locked room. The windows and door were reportedly bolted from within, effectively trapping the victim.
While TOI has yet to verify the authenticity of the video, the visuals have sparked outrage across the locality.
According to local sources, Smita, the youngest sister of the family, who was residing in Dubai to pursue her higher studies, returned to her family home in Nabapally, ward no. 5 under Barasat Municipality, on Tuesday upon receiving news of her mother's demise.
Following her release from captivity, she lodged an FIR at Barasat police station on Saturday, naming four persons, including her siblings and two other relatives. One of the accused, her brother, considered the prime suspect, has already been arrested.
According to local residents, tensions within the family escalated after Smita returned and reportedly demanded her rightful share of her late mother's property, which includes a house, cash, and gold ornaments.
"We heard arguments and screams coming from the house since their mother passed away. Things worsened after Smita returned. Later, we came to know she was being assaulted over a property dispute," said Bhaskar Mondal, a neighbour who accompanied Smita to the police station. "The video was shocking. We didn't think twice about standing by her and helping her get legal support," he added.
Asani Mukhopadhyay, chairman of Barasat Municipality, condemned the incident. "I was shaken after watching the video. Such brutal acts have no place in civil society," he said.
Smita has also alleged that her mother was subjected to similar abuse by the same accused persons for a long time, which she claims eventually led to her death.
"My mom would often tell me about the torture she was facing during our phone calls. But I was helpless, staying alone in Dubai. When I came back after her death, my siblings and their spouses couldn't accept my presence. They locked me in a room and assaulted me to drive me out and deprive me of my rightful inheritance," she told reporters on Saturday.
A senior officer of Barasat district police confirmed that one of the accused was arrested based on the FIR and the video evidence. "We are investigating the case and efforts are on to arrest the remaining accused," the officer said.