Kolkata, August 10, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
West Bengal Chief Minister and state Home Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Monday visited the family of Trinamool Congress worker Birju Keot, who died in police custody in Halisahar, North 24 Parganas district, and acknowledged police negligence in the incident.
Adhikari announced the suspension of the Investigating Officer (IO) and said the Inspector-in-Charge of Halisahar Police Station would be sent to the police lines. He also ordered a magistrate-level inquiry into the custodial death, with District Magistrate Shilpa Gourisaria tasked with conducting the investigation.
The Chief Minister said the inquiry would be conducted as per protocol and that its progress would be regularly communicated to both the government and the deceased’s family.
Adhikari said the autopsy report would help establish the exact cause of death. He added that the deceased’s wife had written to him alleging that her husband had been physically assaulted by police.
“He died in the police lockup, it is as true as day. I cannot say how much torture he died under. Until I get the report, I cannot say anything,” Adhikari said, adding that action would be taken against those found responsible after the investigation.
The Chief Minister also announced financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh for the family, noting that the deceased had two children. He said his wife would receive Rs 15,000 per month for a year, after which she would be offered a Group D government job.
Keot was arrested by Halisahar Police on various charges, including extortion, and was produced before a court on Friday. The court remanded him to five days in police custody. His death was reported on Saturday.
Keot’s wife, Jenny Sharma Keot, a former Trinamool councillor of Ward 23 of Kanchrapara Municipality, alleged that her husband had been beaten inside the police lock-up.
Adhikari said the Chief Secretary would issue a notification regarding the inquiry and stressed that the administration would establish the facts before taking further action.
The Chief Minister also thanked the family for placing their trust in the government despite their political affiliation with the Trinamool Congress.
The case has triggered a political controversy. On Sunday, former Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the family in Kanchrapara, accompanied by Lok Sabha MP Kalyan Banerjee and Rajya Sabha MP Dola Sen.
Banerjee’s visit was also marked by protests. She alleged that BJP-backed miscreants attacked her convoy by hurling shoes, mud, bricks and stones at her vehicle. She said the incident could have caused serious injury had the vehicle’s windows been open.
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