Father, son hacked to death in Kolkata New Town over land dispute
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A father and son were hacked to death in the New Town area on the northern outskirts of Kolkata on Tuesday, 21 July, in what police say was a brutal assault rooted in a long-standing land dispute. The wife and mother of the victims was admitted to Bidhannagar Sub-district Hospital in a critical condition following the same attack.
Who the Victims Are
The deceased have been identified as Muzaffar Mistry, also known as Mona, aged 55, and his son Bapi Mistry, aged 26. According to police, the family had been embroiled in a protracted dispute over a plot of land in Patharghata in New Town. The conflict reportedly escalated after the opposing party began construction on the contested land, which the Mistry family had opposed.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police, assailants from the opposing party attacked Muzaffar Mistry and his family with sharp weapons earlier on Tuesday. The three — father, son, and mother — were left profusely bleeding at the scene after being beaten indiscriminately, police said. All three were rushed to Bidhannagar Sub-district Hospital, where doctors declared Muzaffar and Bapi Mistry dead on arrival. The mother remains in a critical condition and is undergoing treatment.
Police Response and Detentions
Officers of the Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate reached the spot after being alerted, with senior officials also present at the scene. Several individuals have been detained and are being questioned in connection with the killings. A case has been registered against the accused. 'Prima facie it appears to be a fallout of a land dispute between two parties,' a senior officer of Bidhannagar Police said, adding that the bodies have been sent for autopsy and the investigation is ongoing.
Situation on the Ground
Tension prevailed in the area following the incident, prompting authorities to deploy a large police force to prevent further escalation. The bodies of the father and son have been sent for post-mortem examination. This incident adds to a pattern of violent conflicts over land ownership that have repeatedly surfaced across West Bengal, underscoring the urgency of resolving property disputes through legal channels before they turn fatal.