Why Was School Owner Arrested for Harassing Singer Lagnajita Chakraborty?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Four days of police custody have been ordered for the accused.
- Charges of harassment and attempted murder have been filed.
- Trinamool Congress denies any political connection to the accused.
- Investigation is ongoing under the supervision of an SDPO level officer.
- Safety of performers is a critical concern highlighted by this incident.
Kolkata, Dec 22 (NationPress) A district court in West Bengal has mandated four days of police custody for the school owner arrested on allegations of harassing and attempted murder of singer Lagnajita Chakraborty during her performance.
The judicial order was issued after Mehboob Mallick, the accused, was presented at the Kanthi Sub-Divisional Court.
Law enforcement officials have initiated proceedings against Mallick under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The authorities reported that Mallick was swiftly apprehended following the complaint. Charges were filed under Sections 74 (outraging the modesty of a woman) and 109 (attempt to murder) of the BNS.
On Monday, police brought the suspect to court, requesting a custody period of seven days. After considering arguments from both sides, the judge approved a four-day police custody.
Investigators aim to determine the motives behind the harassment of the invited artist. No comments have been made by the accused's family, and the school administration has remained silent on the incident.
The district's acting Superintendent of Police, Mitun Kumar Dey, has also ordered a departmental inquiry against Shahanshah Haque, the officer-in-charge of Bhagwanpur police station in East Midnapore, regarding this case.
An officer of the SDPO level is currently handling the investigation.
Lagnajita was performing at an event organized by South Point Public School in the Bhagwanpur police station area on Saturday, where she reported being harassed during her set. She recounted that as she performed the song 'Jago Ma' from the film 'Devi Chaudhurani', a man from the audience attempted to assault her. Fortunately, others intervened, preventing further escalation.
Following this incident, Lagnajita chose not to continue her performance.
The singer accused Mehboob Mallick of inappropriate behavior and verbal abuse after she declined to resume her performance. Within a day of the incident, police arrested the main suspect based on her allegations.
In response, the Trinamool Congress clarified that the school owner has no ties to their party.
The leadership of Bhagwanpur-i block in East Midnapore has rejected any political affiliations between the accused and the Trinamool Congress.
During a press conference, Bhagwanpur-I block president Robin Mandal stated, "The individual arrested has no association with the Trinamool Congress. He is not part of our party. The BJP is attempting to politicize this matter."
Mandal's remarks were directed at BJP leader Shankudeb Panda, who he accused of spreading false information with the intent to damage the Trinamool Congress's reputation.
He commented, "The accusations made by Shankudeb Panda are entirely unfounded. The accused is a businessman and the owner of a private school without any organizational ties to our party. We cannot hold a political party accountable for an individual's criminal actions."
The response from the Trinamool Congress came after BJP leaders, including Shankudeb Panda, alleged that the arrested school owner was affiliated with their party.