Abhishek Banerjee named in 2018 assault complaint by BJP's Abhijit Das
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Abhijit Das, popularly known as Bobby, filed a fresh police complaint on Tuesday night against All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee at Diamond Harbour police station in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal. The complaint pertains to an alleged assault on Das in 2018, which he claims left him with lasting physical injuries including paralysis.
What the Complaint Alleges
According to the complaint, Das was allegedly attacked at the Kapathat intersection in Diamond Harbour in 2018, purportedly on the instructions of Banerjee and a close aide. Das claimed he was severely beaten, lost consciousness during the incident, and received no assistance at the scene.
In the fresh complaint, Das has named six individuals, including Banerjee. He stated that he had previously informed the police about the assault but alleged that no action was taken during the TMC government's tenure.
In His Own Words
'I have suffered paralysis because of the attack and still face difficulty climbing stairs. The attack was planned, and I had informed the police earlier, but nothing happened. This time, I expect action,' Das said.
Who Is Abhijit Das
Das is a long-standing BJP leader and a prominent political figure in South 24 Parganas. He contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Diamond Harbour constituency directly against Abhishek Banerjee, making the two political rivals in the region.
Mounting Legal Pressure on Abhishek Banerjee
This complaint adds to a growing list of legal challenges facing Banerjee. He is currently subject to ongoing investigations and has faced recent allegations involving forged signatures. Separately, an FIR was filed against him a few days ago on charges of allegedly inciting unrest during the election campaign. The latest complaint from Das represents yet another legal front opening up against the TMC's second-in-command.
Notably, this is the second time Das has approached the police over the same 2018 incident — the first complaint, he alleges, was effectively buried under the previous state administration. With a changed political climate, Das is now pressing for accountability.