A female lawyer on Saturday, 18 July filed a written complaint at Patuli Police Station in the southern outskirts of Kolkata, alleging that former All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) councillor Bappaditya Dasgupta orchestrated a knife attack on her to pressure her into withdrawing from his ongoing court case. The complainant sustained injuries to her hand after being stabbed multiple times, according to her complaint.

What the Lawyer Alleged

The lawyer told police that while she was on her way to Patuli Police Station the previous night to file a complaint, a group of miscreants attacked her with a knife, leaving her with multiple stab wounds on her hand. She alleged the attack was carried out by associates of Bappaditya Dasgupta acting on his behalf.

She further stated that she had been receiving death threats for several days and had already informed the matter in writing to the Patuli Officer-in-Charge, the Kolkata Police Commissioner, and other senior officials prior to the attack.

Status of the Police Investigation

Based on the complaint, police have commenced an investigation. However, a formal First Information Report (FIR) against Bappaditya Dasgupta is yet to be registered, according to reports. The alleged motive, police noted, was to compel the lawyer to withdraw from the legal proceedings in which she is contesting against the former councillor.

Alongside Bappaditya, a case has also been filed against Sourav Ghosh, the Trinamool Youth President of Bappaditya's ward in Patuli. Both Bappaditya Dasgupta and Sourav Ghosh are currently in police custody, having been arrested by Patuli Police Station officers on multiple charges including assault and intimidation.

Who Is Bappaditya Dasgupta

Bappaditya Dasgupta served as the councillor of Ward No. 101 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC). He was first elected as a councillor in 2015. Originally a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), he switched to the Trinamool Congress in 2010.

This is not the first time allegations have surfaced against him. Following the 2021 Assembly elections, he was accused of vandalising the homes of BJP workers — a charge that added to his already contested political profile.

Broader Context

The incident comes amid a pattern of reported attacks on legal professionals and political opponents in West Bengal, drawing renewed scrutiny over law enforcement accountability in the state. The fact that the lawyer had already written to senior police officials before the attack — and was allegedly targeted en route to the police station itself — raises pointed questions about witness and complainant protection.

With both accused in custody, investigators will be expected to establish whether the attack was directly linked to the ongoing court proceedings, and whether additional charges, including attempted intimidation of a legal professional, will be added to the case.