Kolkata, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A police inspector opened fire on murder accused Samiul Sheikh during an encounter in West Bengal’s Murshidabad district after Sheikh allegedly snatched a police firearm and fired at personnel, specifically targeting a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officer, police sources said on Wednesday.
Sheikh was killed in the exchange of fire at Samserganj on Tuesday afternoon. He was an accused in the murder of a local BJP leader.
According to police insiders, Sheikh was taken to the crime scene to recreate the sequence of events when he allegedly seized the firearm of an escorting policeman and fired two rounds at the police team. Both shots reportedly missed their targets.
Sources said Sheikh then directed his attention towards the DSP, prompting the accompanying inspector to open fire. Sheikh sustained a bullet injury to his head and was taken to Jangipur Sub-Divisional Hospital, where he was declared dead.
The incident was the second police encounter reported in West Bengal on Tuesday. In the first, Prahlad Das, accused of raping and murdering a minor girl in Gaighata in North 24 Parganas district, was killed after allegedly attempting to escape with an escorting policeman’s firearm and firing at personnel.
The two encounters have drawn criticism from human rights groups, which have described the incidents as alleged extrajudicial executions.
However, senior members of the state government have defended the police action. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari reportedly said he had given the police a “free hand” to tackle crimes against women and narcotics trafficking.
Panchayat Affairs and Rural Development Minister Dilip Ghosh said police sometimes had to undertake unpleasant actions in the larger public interest. Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister Agnimitra Paul also posted a poem on social media that was interpreted as indirectly supporting the encounters.
The circumstances surrounding both deaths have prompted competing claims over police conduct and the use of lethal force.
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