Bengal SIT probe: 5-member team formed for Samserganj encounter killing on Oct 27
Synopsis
A murder accused shot dead in a police encounter on 27 October in Samserganj is now the subject of a state-directed SIT inquiry — spotlighting a case already scarred by allegations of police negligence, a BJP leader's gruesome murder, and disciplinary action against multiple officers. The five-member team must now determine whether the encounter was lawful or a cover-up.
Key Takeaways
West Bengal Police constituted a five-member SIT on 4 November to probe the 27 October encounter killing of Samiul Sheikh in Samserganj, Murshidabad .
The SIT is headed by SDPO Deibyendu Tamang ; the remaining members are Swarup Biswas (inspector), and sub-inspectors Abhijit Sarkar , Nilesh Chandra Sarkar , and Mithun Halder .
Police claim Sheikh snatched an officer's firearm during a crime-scene recreation and opened fire before being fatally shot in counter-firing.
Sujit Mondal , a local BJP leader, disappeared on 28 August ; his dismembered body was later recovered, with Sheikh among the three accused arrested.
Mondal's wife Sumana Mondal alleged police inaction following her missing-person complaints, leading to disciplinary action — suspensions and transfers — against several officers.
Two co-accused, Tajkira Bibi and Johnny Sheikh , remain in custody with the case under active judicial scrutiny.
West Bengal Police have constituted a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to examine the circumstances surrounding the encounter killing of Samiul Sheikh, a murder accused, at Samserganj in Murshidabad district on 27 October. The SIT formation was confirmed on 4 November by Deputy Inspector General (Murshidabad Range) Ajeet Singh Yadav, who made the announcement to the media.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to the police version of events, Samiul Sheikh — one of three accused in the murder of local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Sujit Mondal — was taken to the crime scene in Samserganj for recreation of the incident on the afternoon of 27 October. Police claim Sheikh attempted to flee after snatching the service firearm of an escorting officer. When he allegedly fired several rounds at the escorting police personnel, an inspector present at the spot resorted to counter-firing, in which Sheikh was fatally shot.
Who Is on the SIT
The SIT will be headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Deibyendu Tamang. The remaining four members are Swarup Biswas, Abhijit Sarkar, Nilesh Chandra Sarkar, and Mithun Halder. According to officials, Biswas holds inspector rank, while the other three are sub-inspectors. An official notification confirming the team's constitution was issued before the members were formally named.
Background: The Sujit Mondal Murder Case
The case traces back to 28 August, when Sujit Mondal, a BJP leader and resident of the Old Dakbanglo area of Samserganj, disappeared under mysterious circumstances. His dismembered body was subsequently recovered. The case drew statewide attention after Mondal's wife, Sumana Mondal, alleged that local police repeatedly failed to act on her missing-person complaints. Police subsequently arrested three accused — Samiul Sheikh, Tajkira Bibi, and Johnny Sheikh — before the encounter on 27 October claimed Samiul Sheikh's life.
Allegations of Police Negligence and Disciplinary Action
The murder case has triggered a string of institutional consequences. Sumana Mondal's allegations of police inaction prompted disciplinary proceedings against several officers, including suspensions, transfers, and departmental inquiries. The Chief Minister had reportedly described the handling of the initial complaint as a 'major blunder.' Critics argue that the trajectory of events — from alleged police negligence to a custodial encounter — raises serious questions about accountability in the district's law-enforcement machinery.
What Happens Next
The SIT is now expected to independently examine whether the encounter was genuine or staged, the sequence of events at the crime scene, and whether proper protocols were followed during the accused's custody. Its findings will be closely watched by BJP leaders, rights groups, and the courts, with the broader case — including the two remaining accused — still under active judicial scrutiny.
Point of View
That raises obvious conflict-of-interest concerns. The disciplinary action already taken against officers confirms institutional failure at the front end of this case; the question now is whether the SIT will probe the back end — the encounter itself — with equal rigour or provide institutional cover. West Bengal has a troubled history with custodial deaths, and without judicial oversight or an independent agency, the SIT's credibility will remain contested.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Samserganj encounter killing that the SIT is probing?
On 27 October, murder accused Samiul Sheikh was shot dead by police during a crime-scene recreation in Samserganj, Murshidabad. Police say Sheikh snatched an officer's firearm, fired at personnel, and was killed in counter-firing. A five-member SIT has been formed to independently verify these claims.
Who heads the West Bengal SIT formed for the Samserganj encounter?
The SIT is headed by Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Deibyendu Tamang. The other four members are Swarup Biswas (inspector rank), and sub-inspectors Abhijit Sarkar, Nilesh Chandra Sarkar, and Mithun Halder.
Who was Sujit Mondal and how is his murder connected to this case?
Sujit Mondal was a local BJP leader from Samserganj's Old Dakbanglo area who disappeared on 28 August. His dismembered body was later recovered, and Samiul Sheikh — along with Tajkira Bibi and Johnny Sheikh — was arrested for the murder. Sheikh's death in the subsequent encounter has now triggered the SIT probe.
What allegations of police negligence have been raised in the Samserganj case?
Mondal's wife Sumana Mondal alleged that she repeatedly approached the local police station after her husband's disappearance but received no assistance. The complaints led to disciplinary action against several officers, including suspensions, transfers, and departmental inquiries.
What will the SIT investigate in the Samserganj encounter?
The SIT is expected to examine whether the encounter was genuine, whether custody protocols were followed, and the precise sequence of events at the crime scene on 27 October. Its findings will be relevant to both the encounter case and the larger murder trial involving the two remaining accused.
