Did Kolkata Police Summon 4 BJP Leaders Over Nabanna Avijan Violence?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four BJP leaders seek anticipatory bail in the wake of violence allegations.
- The Nabanna Avijan protest escalated tensions between police and political parties.
- Video evidence reportedly supports police claims against the leaders.
- Several police officers were injured during the protest.
- The situation reflects ongoing political strife in Kolkata.
Kolkata, Aug 13 (NationPress) Four leaders from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have approached the Calcutta High Court to seek anticipatory bail after being summoned by the Kolkata Police regarding their alleged participation in the disturbances surrounding the Nabanna Avijan (march to the state secretariat) that occurred on August 9.
Among the summoned BJP leaders is the cricketer-turned-politician and party member, Ashok Dinda. The other three include Kali Khatik, Shankudeb Panda, and former Lok Sabha member Arjun Singh.
They have requested the court to quash all charges filed against them related to the rally at the state secretariat on August 9. The petitions have been accepted by Justice Jay Sengupta of the single-judge bench.
All petitions are scheduled to be heard together on Thursday.
Dinda and his associates are required to report to the New Market Police Station in central Kolkata on August 17.
On Tuesday, the Kolkata Police issued summons for Dinda and others to appear due to allegations of threatening police officers during the 'Nabanna Avijan' protest on August 9.
A senior police official stated: "During the recent Nabanna Avijan, Ashok Dinda reportedly threatened our personnel and incited others to attack our officers. He also assaulted a security guard assigned to an IAS officer. As a result, he has been summoned to the New Market Police Station on August 17. We have also obtained video evidence of the BJP MLA threatening and verbally abusing police officers."
It is important to mention that after the violence at the 'Nabanna Avijan', which resulted in injuries to the mother of the RG Kar rape and murder victim, the police filed seven cases against BJP leaders, including Dinda.
The leaders are charged with damaging public property, obstructing government officials from performing their duties, threatening and verbally abusing on-duty police officers, assaulting police constables, and breaching the High Court's directives for a peaceful protest.
The police further reported that five officers were injured during the protest, with three requiring admission to SSKM Hospital.