A 51-year-old man died in West Bengal’s Bankura district after being assaulted by a group, with his family claiming the attack was linked to his son’s participation in the CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
The victim, Sheikh Mohammed Mafiq, was attacked after his son, Sheikh Abdul Hafiz, participated in a protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) and later raised concerns about the condition of a local primary school.
Hafiz travelled to Delhi on July 19 for a protest against NEET paper leaks. On August 13, he visited Karishunda Primary School as part of the CJP’s “Fix The School” campaign and questioned its infrastructure and management.
His family alleged that a group armed with rods and sticks entered their house that night and attacked Hafiz. Mafiq was assaulted when he tried to protect his son. Both were taken to hospital and discharged, but the family said they were attacked again while returning home.
They further alleged that the family was confined inside their house on August 14. Mafiq’s condition deteriorated that night, and he was taken to hospital with police assistance. He died during treatment on August 15.
Bankura Additional Superintendent of Police Krisanu Rai said a complaint was filed on August 16 and a case was registered at Indus police station. Eight people have been arrested and produced in court. Police have not found any political connection to the incident so far.
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari denied any BJP connection, calling those arrested criminals. He said investigators would determine whether the attack was linked to the Delhi protest.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka condemned the incident and blamed the BJP, saying party workers would travel to Bankura to seek justice for the victim’s family.