Kolkata: A clash over alleged “negative feedback” given to potential clients about gym facilities escalated into violence in Behala Parnasree, leading to a case and a counter-case being registered by the police.
The incident, which took place on the evening of June 12, left multiple people injured and resulted in allegations of wrongful restraint, assault, and criminal intimidation from both sides.
Cops said, the trouble began around 8 pm at a local fitness centre located on Upen Banerjee Road when a prospective client visited the premises to inquire about the membership and available facilities.
“A current gym member honestly remarked that the establishment “is not as good as it looks like.” This critical review allegedly infuriated the gym trainer who confronted and assaulted the individual,” said an officer.
When another member, Sourov Sharma (29), and his friends objected to the trainer’s aggressive behaviour, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. Sharma alleged that the trainer and his associates turned on them, launching a physical assault and threatening them with dire consequences before they could manage to leave the premises.
Sharma stated in his complaint that as he and his friends were heading back home and reached near the Parnasree bus stand, where they were ambushed yet again.
A group consisting of the gym trainer’s associates intercepted them and singled out one of his friends, Bibek Tudu. The attackers allegedly assaulted Tudu, dragged him forcefully into a nearby locality, and continued the physical beating while holding him captive. Prompt intervention by the Parnasree police squad, after being alerted about the ongoing violence, successfully rescued Tudu from the spot.
Based on Sharma’s complaint, Parnasree Police registered a case under sections 126(2), 115(2), 54, and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) against Bikram, Rahul, Munna, Rohit Ghosh (19) and several unidentified associates for wrongful restraint, physical assault, and criminal intimidation.
However, a counter-case was subsequently registered based on a separate complaint filed by Rohit Ghosh, a resident of BLT Road. Rohit offered a contrasting version of the events to cops, alleging that on the very same evening, the complainant Sourov and Bibek and their associates had wrongfully restrained and physically assaulted him and his friend.
The Parnasree police have initiated a probe into both complaints to ascertain the sequence of events. Investigation into both cases is currently underway.