Malda murder: Congress leader, brother named in Trinamool worker's killing
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A Trinamool Congress worker was allegedly hacked to death in the Bangitola market area under Mothabari police station in Malda district, West Bengal, on Friday, with a complaint filed against Congress block president Dulal Sheikh and his brother Firoz Sheikh in connection with the murder. The deceased has been identified as Nasiruddin Ahmed, who had returned home earlier that week after being released from judicial custody.
Background to the Killing
According to the family of the deceased, the roots of the dispute stretch back several months. Nasiruddin had allegedly attacked Dulal Sheikh over a pending sum of ₹80,000 that the Congress block president reportedly owed him. That altercation led to Nasiruddin's arrest and a subsequent three-month stint in judicial custody. The family alleged that Dulal Sheikh harboured a grudge against Nasiruddin stemming from that earlier confrontation.
On the day of the incident, Nasiruddin had stepped out to purchase medicine for his son. He was first allegedly attacked on the street by Firoz Sheikh. When he fled, he was allegedly set upon again — this time by both Dulal Sheikh and Firoz Sheikh — and hacked to death, according to the family's complaint.
What the Police Said
A senior officer of Malda district police confirmed that a formal complaint had been filed by the deceased's family against the two accused. 'A complaint has been filed against the two accused persons by the family of the deceased. A case has been registered based on that. The accused are absconding. A search has started for them. Meanwhile, the body of the man has been sent for autopsy. Investigation is on,' the officer said.
Both accused remain at large as of Saturday, with police conducting an active search. The body of Nasiruddin Ahmed has been sent for post-mortem examination.
Political Dimension
The incident has added to the already tense political climate in Malda, a district where the Indian National Congress and the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) have long been in rivalry. This is not the first instance of politically linked violence in the region, and the alleged involvement of a Congress block-level functionary is likely to escalate friction between the two parties locally. Critics argue that such disputes — rooted in personal financial grievances but playing out along party lines — reflect a broader pattern of political violence in rural West Bengal.
What Happens Next
With the accused still absconding, the immediate focus is on their arrest. The autopsy report is expected to provide forensic confirmation of the circumstances of death. Investigators have registered a case and are pursuing leads. The political fallout is also expected to intensify, with TMC likely to demand swift action against the named Congress functionary.