19 held for vandalism, cop attack near Bangla mission
Times of India | 25 December 2025
Kolkata: Nineteen people, including seven women, were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly attacking police personnel and damaging public property during a violent protest near the Bangladesh deputy high commission in central Kolkata, police said. On Wednesday, an Aipore court sent the 12 men to police custody till Friday and granted bail to the seven women against a personal bond of Rs 2,500 each.
The demonstration, organised by several right-wing groups to protest against the murder of Dipu Das in Bangladesh and alleged attacks on minorities there, spiralled out of control near Beckbagan after protesters tried to breach police barricades and march towards the diplomatic office. Police were forced to resort to lathi charge to disperse the crowd.
Twelve protesters were detained from the spot while seven were arrested later after cops scanned CCTV footage of the unrest. All 19 spent the night at Lalbazar central lock-up.
Opposing bail, the state counsel told the court that the assault left at least 12 police personnel injured, two of whom remain hospitalised. Seeking police remand for the 12 men, the public prosecutor said custodial interrogation was necessary to ascertain the "real motive" behind the violence.
The accused said the protest was peaceful and that cop action was unprovoked. The defence counsel argued that several demonstrators were seriously injured during the baton charge, with at least four bleeding profusely, and demanded bail for all arrested.