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India begins a two-match Test series against South Africa in Kolkata, confronting a potent spin attack. Focus will be on batting application and patience to overcome last year’s home collapse against New Zealand.

India Prepares for Challenging Test Series Against South Africa

India vs South Africa: Test Series Challenge

India begins a two-match Test series against South Africa in Kolkata, confronting a potent spin attack. Focus will be on batting application and patience to overcome last year&rsquo;s home collapse against New Zealand.

India's awe-inspiring batting depth will face a stern test against South Africa's quality spin attack when the reasonably well-matched sides clash in an eagerly-anticipated two-match Test series beginning in Kolkata on Friday.
India would be haunted by the ghosts of last year's home debacle against New Zealand when their home record was shattered by Kiwi spinners Ajaz Patel, Mitchell Santner and Glenn Phillips, who shared 36 wickets across three Tests, fashioning an unprecedented 0-3 whitewash.
Given South Africa's heavy reliance on tweakers right now, that collapse against sustained spin pressure will linger in the collective memory of the home side. The reigning World Test champions are known for fiery pacers historically but are currently armed with one of the most potent spin groups in world cricket.
The Proteas arrive on the back of a morale-boosting 1-1 draw in Pakistan, achieved without inspirational captain Temba Bavuma. South Africa's spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer and Senuran Muthusamy accounted for 35 of the 39 wickets to fall across the series, outperforming Pakistan&rsquo;s own slow-bowling contingent of Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Salman Agha, who managed 21 wickets collectively.
It was little wonder then that India assistant coach Ryan ten Doeschate called the rival bowling line-up a "subcontinent-style attack". "They have got four spinners at their disposal, and most likely they will play three. It's a little bit like playing against a subcontinent team," he said. "We've addressed that early on. Hopefully, we've learned from the New Zealand series."
Simon Harmer, now 36 and holder of 1,000 first-class wickets, is no stranger to Indian conditions. As a 26-year-old on the 2015 tour under Hashim Amla, he featured in two Tests &mdash; in Mohali and Nagpur &mdash; and claimed prized scalps such as Cheteshwar Pujara, Rohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha, all known for their spin-playing prowess.
A decade later, Harmer remains as wily. He arrives in Kolkata after an eight-wicket match haul in Rawalpindi last month that spun South Africa to a series-levelling win over Pakistan. His control, drift, and subtle changes of pace make him an ideal foil for the left-arm spin of Maharaj, who is arguably one of the most accurate and attacking spinners in the modern game.
The Eden Gardens pitch has therefore become the most-watched element of this contest. While India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak and captain Shubman Gill have made multiple pitch inspections, Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly has assured that it "won't be a rank-turner".
That will please Jasprit Bumrah, who could be India's trump card on a surface that historically gives early movement and late reverse swing. India would look to go with two pacers and it appears that Akash Deep, the local 'boy', will have the edge with his knowledge of the conditions.
Over the last 15 years, pacers have taken 61 per cent (97 of 159 wickets) in Tests here as seam and swing play a major role, especially in the early and closing stages.
While a young Indian side under Shubman Gill's debut captaincy drew 2-2 in England this summer, showing resilience and adaptability in seaming conditions, it is the New Zealand debacle at home that continues to rankle. The subsequent 2-0 win against a weak West Indies side in this WTC cycle did little to test India's revival.
For India, the focus will be on application and patience against spin. With Rishabh Pant fit again and an in-form Dhruv Jurel set to play as a specialist batter, the middle order looks more stable. Washington Sundar, who topped India's spin charts in that New Zealand series with 16 wickets, provides drift and bounce and lends depth with the bat.
Ten Doeschate underlined the mental readiness required after a gruelling multi-format schedule. "You've got to switch on mentally and be ready for 16&ndash;17 days of really tough work. The body will take care of itself &mdash; the mind has to be ready."
Given it's only a two-match series, the margin for error is slim. Falling behind early could prove fatal especially with unfamiliar conditions set to play their part in the final Test in Guwahati, which will make its debut as a Test venue.
For India, batting big and putting the opposition under scoreboard pressure will be the key to exorcising the ghosts of last year's collapse.
Teams: India: Shubman Gill (Capt), KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sai Sudharsan, Rishabh Pant (WK and VC), Dhruv Jurel, Ravindra Jadeja, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Devdutt Padikkal.
South Africa: Temba Bavuma (Capt), Aiden Markram, Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, Kyle Verreynne, Dewald Brevis, Zubayr Hamza, Tony de Zorzi, Corbin Bosch, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Keshav Maharaj, Senuran Muthusamy, Kagiso Rabada, Simon Harmer.
Match starts: 9.30am.

Kolkata Metro will run special services across Blue, Green, Yellow, and Purple lines during Durga Puja 2025, including night-long operations on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami to manage festive rush.

Kolkata Metro's Special Durga Puja Services on Key Routes

Kolkata Metro's Festive Durga Puja Schedule

Kolkata Metro will run special services across Blue, Green, Yellow, and Purple lines during Durga Puja 2025, including night-long operations on Saptami, Ashtami, and Navami to manage festive rush.

Kolkata Metro will run special services along four corridors during Durga Puja, it said in a statement.
The special services will begin on Panchami, which falls on September 27.
Also, night-long services will be run on Saptami, Ashtami and Navami (September 29-October 1) in Blue Line (Sahid Khudiram to Dakshineswar) and Green Line (Howrah Maidan to Salt Lake Sector V) to cope with the expected rush.
In the Blue Line, on Panchami (September 27), a total of 262 services (131 Up and Down each) will be run from 8 am to 11 pm, with the peak hour frequency of six to seven minutes.
There will be 246 services (123 Up and Down each) from 9 am to 11 pm, with the peak hour frequency of six-seven minutes on Sasthi (September 28).
On Saptami, Ashtami and Navami (September 29, 30 and October 1 respectively), 246 services (123 Up and Down each) will be available from 1 pm till 4 am of the next morning.
A total 132 services (66 Up and Down each) will be run from 1 pm to 10 pm, with peak hour frequency of eight minutes, on Dashami (October 2).
In the Green Line, on Panchami, 225 services (114 Up and 111 Down) will be operated from 7.30 am to 11.16 pm, with peak hour frequency of six minutes.
On Sasthi (September 28), 184 services (92 Up and Down each) will be run from 9 am to 11.28 pm, with peak hour frequency of eight minutes.
A total of 192 services (97 Up and 95 Down) will be run from 1.30 pm to 4.18 am of the next morning, with peak hour frequency of eight minutes, on Saptami (September 29), Ashtami (September 30) and Navami (October 1).
On Dashami (October 2), 74 services (37 Up and Down each) will be available from 1.30 pm to 10.32 pm at an interval of 15 minutes.
In the Yellow Line (Noapara-Baranagar to Jai Hind Bimanbandar), on Panchami (September 27) and Sasthi (September 28), a total of 60 services (30 Up and Down each) will be run between 3 pm and 10.35 pm at an interval of 15 minutes.
On Saptami (September 29), Ashtami (September 30) and Navami (October 1), a total of 62 services (31 Up and Down each) will be available daily between 3 pm and 10.50 pm, at a 15-minute frequency.
On Dashami (September 2), there will 50 services (25 Up and Down each) from 3 pm to 9.20 pm at a 15-minute frequency.
In the Purple Line (Joka to Majerhat), from Panchami to Dashami, 38 services (19 Up and Down) will be operated daily between 3 pm and 10.55 pm at a 25-minute frequency.
No Metro services will be available in Orange Line for the period of September 27 (Saturday) to October 2 (Thursday).

Heavy overnight rains in Kolkata caused seven deaths, severe waterlogging, and major disruption to transport and daily life, as authorities warn of continuing rainfall.

Kolkata Faces Severe Disruptions Due to Heavy Rainfall

Kolkata Disrupted by Intense Rainfall

Heavy overnight rains in Kolkata caused seven deaths, severe waterlogging, and major disruption to transport and daily life, as authorities warn of continuing rainfall.

Torrential overnight rain left Kolkata paralysed on Tuesday, killing at least seven people due to electrocution and bringing life in the metropolis to a grinding halt as large swathes were submerged, transport services crippled, and traffic movement thrown out of gear.
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee described the downpour as "unprecedented", lashing out at poor dredging of the Farakka barrage and lapses by private power utility CESC, while appealing to people to stay indoors for their own safety.
"I have never seen rain like this. I feel so bad for the people who have lost their lives in the cloudburst. I heard 7&ndash;8 people have died due to electrocution by open or unattended wires. It is so unfortunate&hellip; Their families must all be given jobs by the CESC. I am saying this clearly. We will also do whatever is possible to help," Banerjee told a Bengali news channel.
Heavy overnight rains brought Kolkata to its knees on Tuesday as the city was preparing for its biggest festival, Durga Puja, which will begin later this week.
Squarely blaming the utility, she said, "Electricity is supplied by CESC, not us. It is their duty to ensure people do not suffer because of this. They will do business here, but not modernise here? They should send people to the field and fix this." "Even our houses are submerged; we are all suffering. I am feeling so bad for the Pujo pandals as well. Schools have been asked to declare holidays and office-goers advised to stay home today and tomorrow," the chief minister said, adding she was in constant touch with the Mayor, Chief Secretary and police.
Those who lost their lives were identified as Firoz Ali Khan (50) of Beniapukur, Pranatosh Kundu (62) of Netaji Nagar, and Mumtaz Bibi (70) of Ekbalpur, besides an unidentified person in Gariahat.
Kolkata Mayor and state Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim said, "So far, we have received information of four deaths due to electrocution in different places in the city, but later official tallies placed the figure at seven. Hakim said that most parts of the city were waterlogged and teams of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) were working round the clock to drain out water.
He said KMC officers are working hard. But the canals and rivers are full of water and every time water is drained out, more is getting inside the city.
"We fear that the high tide which is around 1.30 PM today, may not help in our efforts to drain out the excessive water. It would be around 10 PM when the situation could be expected to improve," Hakim said.
Across the city, vehicles lay stranded on arterial roads, commuters waded through waist-deep water at several intersections, and Metro services were suspended on a long stretch of the Blue Line.
Traffic movement was severely affected at key intersections such as Park Circus, Gariahat, Behala and College Street, while long snarls were reported on EM Bypass, AJC Bose Road and Central Avenue. Several smaller lanes in south and central Kolkata were completely cut off.
Commuters complained of buses breaking down mid-way, while taxis and app cabs either stayed off the roads or charged exorbitant fares. Many schools declared a holiday as students and staff could not make their way through flooded streets. Calcutta University and Jadavpur University also suspended all academic activities for the day.
Office-goers faced severe hardships due to lack of public transport and traffic snarls. Train and Metro Railway services were badly hit. Significant waterlogging was reported in the mid-section of the Blue Line (Dakshineswar&ndash;Shahid Khudiram), particularly between Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Rabindra Sarobar stations, prompting suspension of services on this stretch.
A Metro spokesperson said services were suspended between Shahid Khudiram and Maidan stations since morning hours. "Truncated services are being run between Dakshineswar and Maidan stations," the official said, adding that normal services were expected to resume soon.
Eastern Railway authorities said train movement in the Sealdah south section had been suspended owing to waterlogged tracks, while skeletal services were being run in the Sealdah north and main sections.
Trains to and from Howrah and Kolkata terminal stations were partially affected, while Circular Railway services were suspended due to waterlogging at Chitpur yard.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said a low-pressure area over the northeast Bay of Bengal was likely to bring more heavy rain in several south Bengal districts.
The intensity of the downpour was higher in the southern and eastern parts of Kolkata, the KMC said. Garia Kamdahari recorded 332 mm of rainfall in just a few hours, followed by Jodhpur Park (285 mm), Kalighat (280 mm), Topsia (275 mm) and Ballygunge (264 mm). Thantania in north Kolkata received 195 mm.
The weather office warned of heavy rainfall continuing in Purba and Paschim Medinipur, South 24 Parganas, Jhargram and Bankura districts till Wednesday. It added that another fresh low-pressure area is likely to form over the east-central and adjoining north Bay of Bengal around September 25.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day Combined Commanders’ Conference at Vijay Durg in Kolkata, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, and service chiefs.

PM Modi inaugurates 16th armed forces' conference at Eastern Command HQ in Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the three-day Combined Commanders&rsquo; Conference at Vijay Durg in Kolkata, attended by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, NSA Ajit Doval, CDS General Anil Chauhan, and service chiefs.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the three-day Combined Commanders' Conference (CCC) at the Eastern Command headquarters of the Indian Army at Vijay Durg, the erstwhile Fort William, in Kolkata.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also attended the crucial meet, the first such conference after Operation Sindoor.
Operation Sindoor was conceived as a punitive and targeted campaign to dismantle the terror infrastructure across the Line of Control and deeper inside Pakistan, showcasing a calibrated, tri-services response embodying precision, professionalism and purpose, a defence official said.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and all three chiefs of the Indian armed forces were also among the participants in the conference.
The CCC, a biennial event, is the apex brainstorming forum of the armed forces, bringing together the nation's top civil and military leadership to exchange views and discuss strategic, institutional and operational priorities, with interactive sessions involving officers of various ranks.
This year&rsquo;s meet, the 16th edition, will focus on reforms, transformation, change, and operational preparedness of the armed forces. The theme is 'Year of Reforms &ndash; Transforming for the Future.' "The focus of the conference reflects the armed forces&rsquo; commitment to institutional reforms, deeper integration and technological modernisation, while sustaining a high level of multi-domain operational readiness," the defence official added.
This is Modi&rsquo;s fourth visit to Bengal in the past five months and the second within a month.
The PM arrived in Kolkata on Sunday evening from Assam and will leave the city in the afternoon for Purnea in Bihar.
He reached Vijay Durg around 9.30 am from the Raj Bhavan, where he spent the previous night.
The last CCC was held in Bhopal in 2023.&nbsp;

Three accused in a gang rape case involving a law student in Kolkata remain in custody. Incident occurred at South Calcutta Law College. The court awaits a complete forensic report while ensuring justice and safety on campus.

Kolkata law college gang rape case update

The Kolkata court has placed three individuals in judicial custody related to the alleged gang rape of a law student. The incident occurred on the premises of South Calcutta Law College. The investigation continues as forensic reports are awaited.

Three accused in the gang rape of a law student in Kolkata are in custody until July 22. Alleged crime occurred at South Calcutta Law College. Electronic evidence has been gathered, awaiting final forensic report.

A Kolkata court on Tuesday remanded three persons, accused in the gang rape of a student in a law college here to judicial custody till July 22.
The police prosecutors prayed that prime accused Monojit Mishra, an alumnus and temporary staffer of the college, and two current students Zaib Ahmed and Pramit Mukherjee, be remanded to judicial custody.
The Alipore court, after hearing all the parties, granted the prayer.
A security guard of the college, Pinaki Banerjee, who was also arrested in connection with the case, was also forwarded to judicial custody till July 22.
It is alleged that the first-year student of South Calcutta Law College was raped inside the premises of the institute by Mishra, assisted by Ahmed and Mukherjee, on the evening of June 25.
The state's lawyer submitted before the court that it has worked on electronic evidence with regard to the crime during their police remand.
It was also stated that though some preliminary forensic reports have been received in this regard, the investigators were awaiting the final report of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL).
After getting the FSL report, the state may pray for further police remand in the interest of investigation, he told the court.
The lawyer for the prime accused claimed that the investigators did not follow established practices during his interrogation.
The advocate representing the security guard submitted before the court that he had no role to play in the crime.
The trio was arrested on June 26, and produced before the court the following day, which initially remanded them to four-day police custody.
Upon production at the Alipore Court on July 1, the court extended their police remand till July 8.
The 24-year-old student had alleged that she was gangraped in the college premises on the evening of June 25.
The prosecution has stated before the court that the 24-year-old victim was given an inhaler by the accused so that they could physically torture her after she was in full consciousness.

Sanjay Sen received a death sentence from a Kolkata court for the brutal murder of a retired teacher couple, marking it a 'rarest of rare' case. The judgement highlights trust betrayal and excessive violence, setting a precedent against heinous crimes.

Kolkata Court Sentences Man to Death for Heinous Double Murder

In a 'rarest of rare' decision, a man has been sentenced to death by a Kolkata court for murdering a retired teacher couple. He exploited their trust, committed the crime with extreme brutality, and looted their valuables. The case underscores severe penalties for heinous offenses.

Kolkata Court Death Sentence for Double Murder

A Kolkata court sentenced Sanjay Sen to death for murdering a retired teacher couple. Sen, a trusted acquaintance, brutally assaulted the victims to steal valuables. The court deemed the crime 'rarest of rare', warranting a penalty beyond life imprisonment.

A Kolkata court has sentenced a man to death for murdering a retired college teacher couple, calling it a &ldquo;rarest of rare&rdquo; case due to the betrayal of trust and cruel nature of the crime.
As per the case, the death of college teachers Pran Gobinda Das and Renuka Das on July 15, 2015, was due to repeated brutal assaults on their faces and heads and mutilation of their facial portions.
Anirban Das, the additional sessions judge at Sealdah sessions court, observed that the court did not find any indication of provocation by the victims that might have ignited the violence.
The judge noted that Sanjay Sen, a rickshaw puller whom the couple had known since the days he used to be a fishmonger earlier and reposed trust in him, used to frequent their residential flat in a housing complex in Chitpur area in north Kolkata.
It was noted that the couple used to hire Sen to visit banks, doctors and markets.
"The trust that the elderly couple placed in him, allowing him into their home and depending on him for assistance with daily activities, makes his betrayal more heinous rather than providing any mitigating context," the judge observed in the judgment.
The court said that the fact that "Sen nurtured this trust over time for the apparent purpose of eventually exploiting it demonstrates cold-blooded preplanning".
"The prolonged nature of the attack indicates that the accused had multiple opportunities to reconsider his actions and stop the violence, but chose to continue," the court said.
The prosecution had stated that Sen had continued his brutality for more than four hours before leaving the flat with robbed articles like gold jewellery and cash.
The court observed that this suggests a level of determination and cruelty that cannot be mitigated by any personal circumstances.
"The mutilation of both victims' faces shows a level of violence that goes beyond what would be necessary to accomplish robbery, indicating sadistic tendencies that cannot be explained away by economic desperation or other mitigating factors," the court said.
Judge Das said that "the trial courts must understand that the seriousness of the crime, the public anger it causes and the need to warn others all lead to one conclusion: this is a perfect example of a rarest of rare case".
"The rules of justice, societal values and legal principles all clearly show that the convict Sanjay Sen's crime is so extreme that lighter punishments, like life imprisonment, would be completely unfair," the court said in its judgement delivered last week.
The court also observed that giving the death penalty here is not just about punishing the offender but a necessary step for society.
"It sends a strong moral message that betraying trust, exploiting vulnerable people and using unnecessary violence will face the strongest possible rejection.
"By doing this, the law defends the values of trust, compassion and human dignity, ensuring that such horrific crimes are never tolerated," the judge observed.
Judge Das, who had also awarded life sentence to Sanjay Roy after finding him guilty for the rape and murder of an on-duty doctor at R G Kar Medical College and Hospital on August 9, 2024, said that the nature of the relationship between the accused and the victims actually serves to aggravate rather than mitigate the offence.
The CBI, which was handed over the probe into the R G Kar rape-murder case by the Calcutta High Court, is currently conducting further investigation into the matter.

Kolkata Police took four accused, including students and a security guard, to South Calcutta Law College for a four-hour crime scene reconstruction in connection with the June 25 gang rape case.

Kolkata college gang rape: Police reconstruct crime scene with arrested men

Kolkata Police took four accused, including students and a security guard, to South Calcutta Law College for a four-hour crime scene reconstruction in connection with the June 25 gang rape case.

Sleuths of the Kolkata Police on Friday took the four men, arrested in connection with the gang rape of a student, to South Calcutta Law College and reconstructed the crime scene, an officer said.
The three prime accused -- alumnus and contractual staff Monojit Mishra, current students Pramit Mukherjee and Zaib Ahmed -- and security guard Pinaki Banerjee were taken to the college around 4.30 am and it took around four hours to complete the process.
"The reconstruction of the crime scene is a vital part of the investigation. We completed the task today. The four accused persons were taken to the South Calcutta Law College early this morning, and the task is done," the officer told PTI.
The entire reconstruction process, carried out in the presence of a huge police team, lasted for four hours, following which the four were taken back to the police station.
"Our findings will now be cross-checked with the allegation of the woman and verified with other evidence," the officer added.
The security guard is scheduled to be produced in court later in the day as his police remand was until June 4.
The alleged rape of the 24-year-old woman was led by Mishra, and assisted by two college seniors on the evening of June 25. The crime took place for over three hours at multiple locations inside the campus, including the guard's room, the victim said in her complaint with the police.
The investigation is currently being carried out by the Detective Department of the Kolkata Police.
The medical examination, as well as, the circumstantial evidence corroborated the first-year student's allegation of being gang-raped.
The security guard was accused of failing to carry out his responsibilities.

A college student in Kolkata was allegedly gang-raped by two seniors and an ex-student inside the institute premises. All three accused have been arrested.

Kolkata Student Allegedly Raped by Seniors in College Horror

Kolkata College Rape: Seniors Arrested

A college student in Kolkata was allegedly gang-raped by two seniors and an ex-student inside the institute premises. All three accused have been arrested.

A college student in Kolkata was allegedly raped by her two seniors and a former student of the educational institute, police said on Friday.
The three accused were arrested on Thursday night in connection with the gang rape, an officer said.
The incident took place on June 25 evening when the woman went to the college and was taken by the three accused to a room inside the educational institute and gang-raped, the police said.
"The student lodged a complaint with the Kasba Police Station, and the three accused were held on Thursday. As of now, the matter is at an initial stage," the officer said.
Medical tests of the woman are being conducted, he said.
The accused will be produced before a court on Friday, he added.

Minister Sujit Bose counters allegations of delay in the Khidirpur market fire response, affirming adequate resources and bravery of firefighters.

Minister Bose Counters Kolkata Fire Allegations

Minister Sujit Bose refutes claims of negligence in the Khidirpur fire response, emphasizing adequate resources and the heroic efforts of firefighters.

Minister Bose refuted claims of negligence in the Kolkata fire response, emphasizing firefighter bravery and adequate resources, amid opposition criticism.

West Bengal's Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose on Tuesday addressed the assembly about the recent blaze at a market in Kolkata's Khidirpur, rejecting allegations of delay and negligence in responding to the incident by his department.
Firefighters risk their lives much like the armed forces when dealing with emergencies, he said.
The opposition had alleged that fire tenders arrived late at the spot, lacked adequate water, and that one of the fire engines broke down during the operation.
"In response to the emergency call received at 2.05 PM, three fire tenders were immediately dispatched, with more engines sent later," the minister said.
"Mayor Firhad Hakim reached the spot, and I personally arrived there. Senior officials were also present, and even the chief minister visited the site during the day," Bose said.
It is reported that around 400 traders were affected by the fire.
"Some have alleged there was no water or that the pumps had no fuel. I want to make it clear - there was sufficient water, and the pumps had fuel. The issue may have occurred during the initial suction process when silt entered the system. We need to examine why the pump did not function properly at that moment, but the claim of no water or fuel is incorrect," Bose said.
He appealed to the House not to undermine the efforts of fire personnel.
"Just like our soldiers at the border, our firemen work under extreme risk, putting their lives on the line. Do not belittle their courage and sacrifice," he added.

Unrest in Rabindranagar escalates into political controversy as clashes over a shop lead to violence, prompting calls for central intervention amid governance criticism.

Rabindranagar Unrest Violent Clashes and Politics

Tensions in Rabindranagar rise after local clashes turn violent. BJP and TMC face off, debating governance failures as police restore order. The region remains tense amid ongoing political fallout.

Rabindranagar clashes over a shop dispute escalated into violence, leading to political upheaval and demands for central intervention amid claims of failed governance.

Tension simmered in the Rabindranagar area near Kolkata on Wednesday as a violent clash between two groups spiralled into widespread unrest, leaving several police personnel injured and multiple vehicles vandalised, prompting heavy reinforcements and political fallout.
Police said five people were injured in the clash while four were arrested.
The opposition BJP demanded deployment of central forces in the trouble-torn area, while the ruling TMC accused the saffron camp of politicising a local issue.
The violence, which erupted over the setting up of a shop in Maheshtala under Rabindranagar Police Station in South 24 Parganas district, quickly escalated, turning the area into a virtual battlefield.
"Bricks were hurled from rooftops, tyres were set ablaze on the roads, and miscreants torched a motorbike in front of the police station. Several police vehicles were damaged, and at least one police personnel was left bleeding after being hit by a brick," a police officer told reporters.
Eyewitnesses said chaos unfolded right outside the police station as protesters threw stones, leaving officers, including a woman constable, injured.
Reinforcements from Kolkata and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) were rushed to the scene, and tear gas shells were fired to disperse the mob.
The unrest, which reportedly began on Tuesday over a dispute involving a shop, took a dangerous turn on Wednesday. Several police vehicles were ransacked, windows shattered, and the police appeared momentarily overwhelmed by the mob fury.
As the situation deteriorated, authorities imposed preventive measures under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) and launched a crackdown to nab the rioters.
The Section empowers a District Magistrate or designated Executive Magistrate to issue urgent preventive orders to avert public nuisance or threats to public peace and safety.
"Raids are presently underway, and additional personnel remain deployed. Several arrests were made," another police officer said.
The West Bengal police later said normalcy had been restored, though the area continued to remain tense.
The incident sparked a strong political backlash with Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari staging a protest outside the West Bengal Police headquarters in Alipore, demanding the immediate deployment of central forces in the troubled area.
"The Hindu community in Rabindranagar has been subjected to looting, arson, and violence for hours while the police watched silently. Several police vehicles were set on fire, yet there was no effective intervention," Adhikari alleged.
He also claimed that DGP Rajiv Kumar refused to meet him.
"Despite such grave attacks on police, the top brass seems indifferent. I will move Calcutta High Court tomorrow seeking urgent intervention and central forces, as ordered earlier during communal tension in Murshidabad," the BJP leader said.
Adhikari was accompanied by several BJP MLAs, including the party's chief whip Shankar Ghosh, and a group of sadhus.
"Monks have received desperate calls from residents in the area seeking protection. This is a complete breakdown of governance," he said.
Echoing Adhikari's demands, BJP state president and Union minister Sukanta Majumdar alleged that the administration had failed to take preventive action.
"Despite knowing the culprits, the police acted against the victims instead of the aggressors," he alleged, accusing the state government of communal appeasement.
Both leaders also urged Governor C V Ananda Bose to intervene, alleging the incident reflected systemic administrative failure.
"The governor must step in to ensure constitutional order is upheld and justice is delivered to the affected Hindu community," Majumdar said, adding that places of worship in the area must be restored.
The ruling Trinamool Congress (TMC), however, rejected the allegations, saying the opposition was attempting to politicise a "local issue".
"All necessary steps have been taken to control the situation. The police acted swiftly and with firmness. The BJP is trying to give a communal colour to what was essentially a dispute over setting up a shop," said TMC spokesperson and state general secretary Kunal Ghosh.
Condemning the violence, Kolkata Mayor and senior TMC leader Firhad Hakim said, "We wish a speedy recovery to the injured police personnel. At the same time, we strongly condemn the BJP's attempt to communalise and politicise a sensitive issue." He alleged that the BJP's tactics were aimed at "disturbing the peace and harmony of Bengal" and urged all sides to act with restraint.
The police continue to maintain a heavy presence in the area as investigations are underway to identify and apprehend the miscreants involved in the violence.

Examining the dangers of sports crowd mismanagement, from 1980 Kolkata to 2025 Bengaluru, emphasizing prevention.

Tragic Lessons in Sports Crowd Control

Explore the unfortunate outcomes of insufficient crowd control in sports, from Kolkata's 1980 tragedy to Bengaluru's 2025 loss, highlighting the crucial need for protective measures at large events.

Sporting tragedies from Kolkata to Bengaluru underscore the critical importance of crowd control and safety at events.

August 16, 1980 in Kolkata and June 4, 2025 in Bengaluru. The two days were separated by nearly 45 years but the passion and excitement of watching live sports or sporting heroes turned into unmitigated disaster with young people losing their lives.
On August 16, 1980, Kolkata football derby between arch rivals Mohun Bagan and East Bengal that took place at the Eden Gardens (there was no Salt Lake Stadium then) witnessed a massive clash between the supporters of two teams, leading to 16 deaths.
On Wednesday, the victory celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru's maiden IPL triumph in 18 years was marred by death of 11 fans, who were part of more than 100,000 people desperate to catch a glimpse of Virat Kohli more than anyone else.
It was Eden Garden in 1980 and Garden City on Wednesday, that witnessed tragedy. And both could have been avoided.
On that fateful August afternoon at the Eden Gardens, more than 70,000 spectators had thronged the galleries and Mohun Bagan's speedy right winger Bidesh Basu was felled by East Bengal's side back Dilip Palit, who was notorious for his rough tackling.
According to the reports of that time, the referee of that match, late Sudhin Chatterjee did not have control on the proceedings and once Bidesh and Dilip got into fisticuffs, the tension percolated in the stands.
Stone pelting happened from spectators of both sides and the Kolkata Police were not alert enough to comprehend a stampede like situation as the crowd became panicky and tried running helter skelter.
The black and white picture of fans trying to avoid stampede, hanging from second tier of Eden Gardens still haunts those families. Sixteen fans aged between 18 and 60, who had left their homes in the afternoon with unbridled joy and excitement came back lifeless laid inside matadors (no hearse vans those days).
They now call it a 'Football Lovers' Day' in Kolkata but law and order had gone for a toss that day as there was no joy anywhere around the 'City of Joy'.
On December 9, 2012, a similar kind of tragedy could have happened as things got out of hand during a Kolkata Derby with Mohun Bagan's Rahim Nabi being hit on forehead by a stone from the opposition team's stand. But the sight was East Bengal defender Arnab Mondal escorting the Mohun Bagan star to safety.
However, the match was abandoned and there was free for all on the streets of Eastern Metropolitan Bypass with as many as 40 people injured in clashes. There were policemen who were also injured in the scuffle with supporters of both sides. There were two incidents back in 1969 during Australia's Test series in India in Kolkata (Eden Gardens) and Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. The incident in Mumbai was after a debatable decision that saw the back of S Venkataraghavan. The spectators who were listening to All India Radio commentary were infuriated and wreaked havoc. There was fire in the stands but fortunately no deaths.
The stampede like situation at Eden Gardens had more to do with erstwhile corrupt officials of Cricket Association of Bengal, who had printed fake tickets above capacity and there were at least 20,000 people more.
The grapevine was that some of the CAB officials hid under their tables when police were trying to evacuate the spectators.
However, what happened on Wednesday can't be described in mere words as this was a planned gathering with less than 24 hours for the police and city administration to perform due diligence about the size of crowd expected to turn up.
There was no live match but star struck youth wanting to get a glimpse of Virat Kohli led to this unmitigated and irreparable loss. Eleven lives lost and it could be more.
When these youngsters (including children) gathered at MG Road, Brigade Road, Cubbon Park or Vidhan Souda, it was all about passion and excitement to meet their heroes but the 11 set of parents will have to live with this tragedy that could have been avoided.
Other major spectator deaths during sporting events ================================ Hillsborough Disaster (1989): A stampede at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield, England, resulted in 97 deaths and hundreds of injuries during an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. It is still one of the worst of all crowd death incidents related to sports.
Heysel Stadium Disaster (1985): A stadium wall collapsed at the Heysel Stadium in Brussels, leading to the deaths of 39 supporters during the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus.
Lima Stadium Riots (1964): In terms of death toll, this is the biggest sporting crowd tragedy in the last 60 years. It was an Olympic Qualifier between Argentina and Peru. There were riots leading to more than 300 people getting killed and nearly 1000 injured.
Luzhniki Stadium Crush (1982): It was a UEFA Cup match between Spartak Moscow and Haarlem FC and 66 fans died, mostly teenagers making it the biggest sporting tragedy in Russian history.
Houphouet-Boigny Stampede (2009): 19 fans died and 135 seriously injured in a stampede during a World Cup qualifier between Ivory Coast and Malawi in Abidjan.

Police in Kolkata faced violent clashes with teachers, leading to 19 injuries. The protest was against job losses after a Supreme Court ruling. Minimum force was used to evacuate trapped government employees safely.

19 Police Injured in Kolkata Teacher Protests

19 police personnel injured during teacher protests at Bikash Bhavan. The demonstration seeks reinstatement of jobs wiped out by a Supreme Court ruling citing recruitment irregularities. Minimum police force was employed to ensure safe evacuation.

Police in Kolkata faced violent clashes with teachers

19 police personnel injured in clashes with teachers at Bikash Bhavan. Police acted for safe evacuation, not protest suppression. Teachers demand reinstatement after SC ruling voided 25,753 jobs.

West Bengal Police on Friday said 19 of its personnel were injured, one of them seriously, during clashes with agitating school teachers outside the state education department headquarters in Salt Lake here, and a suo motu case had been lodged against persons identified as instigators of the unrest.
Talking to reporters, ADG (Law and Order) Jawed Shamim and IG South Bengal Supratim Sarkar said police had exercised maximum restraint for over seven hours on Thursday evening before taking action to assist government employees "trapped inside" Bikash Bhavan, the state education department headquarters.
"Nineteen policemen were injured, and one is serious. We have videos and evidence against those who instigated the agitation yesterday. We will take legal action against them," Sarkar said at Bhawani Bhavan, the West Bengal Police Headquarters.
He clarified that police intervention was solely to ensure the safe exit for government employees from the building, not to suppress the protest.
"The whole police action was only done to ensure that the government employees trapped inside Bikash Bhavan could come out and return home after an entire day&rsquo;s work. We have no intention to stop, alter, or disrupt the protest," Sarkar added.
ADG Shamim said, "Despite all the provocations &mdash; damaging government property, occupying premises &mdash; police exercised maximum restraint, respecting the emotions of the agitators," he said.
"We spoke to the agitators&rsquo; leadership and repeatedly requested them to allow the trapped employees to leave. There was even a pregnant woman inside. The employees were calling police in distress." As police attempted to assist those stuck inside, they were reportedly pelted with stones and plastic bottles, leading to a standoff.
"In that standoff, minimum force was used, and we ensured that those trapped inside were safely evacuated," he said, adding that there were 58 other departments, other than the education department, housed inside Bikash Bhavan.
The area around Bikash Bhavan had turned into a virtual battlefield on Thursday evening after a series of violent clashes broke out between protesting school teachers and police.
Police resorted to lathi-charge to remove the agitators, who laid siege before the government building.
Many teachers were injured in police action, which persisted for over an hour and in repeated phases.
The teachers, who lost their jobs following a court order last month that canceled thousands of appointments in government-aided schools due to irregularities in the recruitment process, had been staging a sit-in demonstration demanding reinstatement.
Last month, the Supreme Court invalidated the appointment of 25,753 teachers and other staff in state-aided schools and termed the entire selection process "vitiated and tainted".

VHP rallies in Kolkata protested the Pahalgam terror attack's tragedy, urging government action. They emphasized persecuted Hindus in Bangladesh, causing momentary city disruptions.

Kolkata VHP Protests Pahalgam Attack

In Kolkata, the VHP staged rallies against the Pahalgam terror attack, demanding action from the Modi government and highlighting Hindu persecution in Bangladesh. The protests disrupted city life, spotlighting regional tensions.

VHP stages protest in Kolkata over Pahalgam attack

Vishva Hindu Parishad staged rallies in Kolkata to protest against the Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people. They urged PM Modi to act against terrorists and highlighted persecution of Hindus in Bangladesh. The protest disrupted city routines temporarily.

Members of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) held two rallies in Kolkata on Friday, protesting the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people were killed.
Raising slogans against Pakistan, the activists demanded immediate action against the perpetrators of the attack.
"We urge the Narendra Modi government to take immediate action against the terrorists and their handlers. They should be hunted down and given exemplary punishment," VHP activist Saikat Chanda said.
While one of the processions began at Sealdah, the other started at College before converging in Dharmatalla. The rallies brought the central part of the city to a standstill in the afternoon.
The activists also sought an immediate end to the "persecution" of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Students from Aliah University protested in Kolkata against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, seeking its repeal. BJP plans a campaign to highlight the law's benefits, as J.P. Nadda defends its impact on Muslim welfare.

Kolkata Protest Against Waqf (Amendment) Act

Aliah University students in Kolkata protested the Waqf (Amendment) Act, calling for its repeal. BJP responds with a public awareness campaign, emphasizing the law's benefits for Muslim welfare, led by J.P. Nadda.

Students from Aliah University protested in Kolkata against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, seeking its repeal

Aliah University students in Kolkata protested against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, urging its repeal. The BJP plans a campaign to highlight the act's benefits. J.P. Nadda claims the law aids poor Muslims and reorganizes Waqf property control.

Students of Aliah University in Kolkata on Friday took out a rally protesting the Waqf (Amendment) Act and demanding that the legislation be withdrawn.
The participants in the rally also blocked the seven-point crossing in the Park Circus area here for some time after they went past the barricades put up by the police.
The Aliah University students, who marched from their campus nearby, raised slogans demanding that the law be withdrawn.
"The BJP is talking of 'sabka sath, sabka vikas', but one community is being discriminated against," one of the students participating in the rally alleged.
The BJP has said that it will launch a fortnight-long public awareness campaign, aimed especially at Muslims, from April 20 to publicise the benefits of the Waqf (Amendment) Act and counter the opposition's criticism of it.
BJP office-bearers from across the country attended a workshop in New Delhi on Thursday where party president J P Nadda accused the opposition parties of misleading Muslims about the provisions of the amended law as part of its vote-bank politics.
Nadda said the new law, which came into effect on April 8, would help utilise Waqf properties for the welfare of poor Muslims and women, adding it would free these assets from the control of a small but influential section of people and open them for the minority community's overall benefit.

The brothers and their wives turned to a more desperate measure—to assist each other’s demise. Notably, the children were uninvolved and unaware of this despairing scheme.

Debt-Driven Triple Murders Shocks Kolkata

The brothers and their wives turned to a more desperate measure&mdash;to assist each other&rsquo;s demise. Notably, the children were uninvolved and unaware of this despairing scheme.

The shocking triple murder case from last month in Tangra, Kolkata, involving a family, is beginning to make sense.
On February 19, police discovered the bodies of three family members in a home.
This tragic event was uncovered after two brothers, Prasun and Pranay Dey, along with Pranay's son, drove their car into a pillar in an alleged suicide bid.
During questioning at the hospital, they revealed the grim discovery waiting at their residence.
Prasun Dey has confessed to killing his wife Romi Dey, 14-year-old daughter, and sister-in-law Sudeshna Dey. Investigations point to a staggering debt of Rs 16 crore as the possible catalyst for these horrors.
Residing together in Tangra were Prasun, his wife, their daughter, his brother Pranay, Pranay&rsquo;s wife, and their son. In a harrowing police confession, businessman Prasun described a suicide pact formed with his wife, brother, and sister-in-law to escape their financial woes. But when their pact failed, it spiraled into murder.
The Traumatic Pact and Murders
On February 17, in a harrowing attempt to follow through with their pact, the family consumed rice pudding laced with sleeping pills. They awoke the next day, the plan in ruin.
The brothers and their wives turned to a more desperate measure&mdash;to assist each other&rsquo;s demise. Notably, the children were uninvolved and unaware of this despairing scheme.
In a chilling account during police interviews, Prasun recounted smothering his daughter while his wife coordinated by restraining her, subsequently attempting to take her own life by cutting her wrists. When this failed, Prasun intervened to fatally wound her. Similarly, he executed his sister-in-law.
Subsequently, Prasun joined Pranay and his nephew in the fateful car ride, crashing into a pillar early in the morning. Pranay maintains this was a suicide attempt. Police are eager to record Pranay&rsquo;s testimony and plan to arrest him following his recovery.
Both brothers are recuperating at Nil Ratan Sircar Medical College and Hospital under police supervision following injuries from their suicide bid.
Enormous Debt as a Trigger
The probe into the Dey family&rsquo;s actions unearthed their suffocating Rs 16 crore debt as their motivator for such drastic actions, as reported by Indian Express. They faced imminent dues equivalent to Rs 47 lakh in EMIs for their multiple cars.
Prasun Dey was taken into custody after intensive police interrogation post-hospital release, and presented in court today, where he was remanded to police custody until March 6.

Two women were arrested in Ahiritola, Kolkata, attempting to discard human remains into the Hooghly River, claiming initially it was their pet dog. Locals alerted police, remains sent for a post-mortem. Protests ensued demanding better security.

Women Arrested for Disposing Human Remains in Kolkata

Two women arrested in Kolkata for disposing human remains in Hooghly river

Two women were arrested in Ahiritola, Kolkata, attempting to discard human remains into the Hooghly River, claiming initially it was their pet dog. Locals alerted police, remains sent for a post-mortem. Protests ensued demanding better security.

Two women were caught in north Kolkata's Ahiritola on Tuesday while allegedly dumping human body parts into the Hooghly river in a suitcase, police said.
These two women, who arrived at the Ahiritola Ghat in a taxi, were caught by locals when they were dumping the blue suitcase, they said.
"The women claimed that the bag contained the corpse of their dog but we found a human body in it. We immediately informed the police," one of the locals said.
Police said they were questioning the two women, and sent the body parts for post-mortem examination.
"We are questioning them. We are also talking to the locals who spotted them while they attempted to throw the trolley bag into the river," a police officer said.
A local train ticket was found with the two women, he said.
Police, meanwhile, faced protests when they went to the area after being informed about the incident, with locals demanding increased security.

A government worker in Kolkata allegedly stabbed four colleagues after being denied leave, injuring two critically. Mental health factors are suspected.

Kolkata Employee Attacks Coworkers Over a tiff on Leave

Kolkata employee stabs colleagues over leave dispute

A government worker in Kolkata allegedly stabbed four colleagues after being denied leave, injuring two critically. Mental health factors are suspected.

In a shocking incident in Kolkata's Newtown area, a West Bengal government employee, identified as Amit Kumar Sarkar, allegedly stabbed four colleagues after a disagreement over leave.
Sarkar, who works in the technical education department at Karigari Bhavan, reportedly resorted to violence following the denial of his leave request.
A video later surfaced showing Sarkar brandishing a bloodstained knife in broad daylight, carrying a bag on his back and another in his hand, while warning passersby not to approach him.
The unsettling footage captured people recording the scene on their mobile phones.
According to a senior police official, Sarkar, a resident of Ghola in Sodepur, North 24 Parganas district, attacked his colleagues&mdash;Jaydeb Chakraborty, Santanu Saha, Sartha Late, and Sheikh Satabul&mdash;after the dispute. All four were rushed to a nearby hospital, where two are reported to be in critical condition.
Officials revealed that the altercation began when Sarkar was denied leave, culminating in the violent outburst. The reasons for the leave denial remain unclear. Sarkar has since been apprehended by law enforcement, and an investigation is ongoing. Authorities have suggested that mental health issues may have played a role in the incident.

Junior doctors in Kolkata protest, demanding a stricter verdict for Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape-murder case. 

RG Kar case: Junior doctors protest outside Sealdah Court, demand stricter punishment for Sanjay Roy

Junior doctors in Kolkata protest, demanding a stricter verdict for Sanjay Roy in the RG Kar rape-murder case.&nbsp;

Junior doctors gathered outside the Sealdah Court on Monday, voicing their demand for a harsher punishment for Sanjay Roy, the convict in the RG Kar rape-murder case.&nbsp;
Speaking to ANI, one of the junior doctors stated that they would appeal to higher courts for a stricter sentence. "We wanted a strict and exemplary punishment; this is not enough. We will move to higher courts seeking a harsher judgement," the doctor said.
&nbsp;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | Kolkata, West Bengal | Junior doctors hold protest outside Sealdah Court. The Court sends convict in RG Kar rape-murder case, Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment A junior doctor says, "We wanted a strict and exemplary punishment, this punishment is not enough... We will&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/ZCAv7g7uoY">pic.twitter.com/ZCAv7g7uoY</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1881289595784155514?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 20, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also expressed her dissatisfaction over the court's decision to sentence Roy to life imprisonment. She stated that had the case remained under Kolkata Police jurisdiction, they would have ensured a death penalty.&nbsp;
"I learned about the sentencing from the media. We have always demanded capital punishment, and we stand by it. However, this is the court's decision, and I can't say much about it. For three other cases, Kolkata police ensured capital punishment through thorough investigations concluded within 54-60 days. This was a serious case. Had it been under our purview, we would have ensured the death penalty long back," CM Mamata said while addressing the media in Malda. ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/rg-kar-case-mamata-banerjee-not-satisfied-with-punishment-for-sanjay-roy-1737372835319" target="_blank">Mamata Banerjee &lsquo;not satisfied&rsquo; with punishment for Sanjay Roy</a>
Congress leader Salman Khurshid, on the other hand, welcomed the judgment, stating it would send a strong message to potential offenders. "The biggest concern that people express is that many tragic incidents take place, and people wait for the Court, which leads to apathy. But in this case, the investigation was swift, and the Court pronounced its judgment in very little time. The judgment is apt, and it should be welcomed. Will it convey a message to those who commit such crimes?" Khurshid said.
Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar expressed his dissatisfaction with the verdict and called for a more in-depth investigation.&nbsp;
"We wanted the highest punishment for the convict Sanjay Roy. As an elected representative, I can't comment against the court's decision. The public of West Bengal doesn't believe that only one person is involved in the RG Kar rape-murder case. I think there should be more depth in this, as Sanjay is claiming that there were also police and other people involved," said Majumdar.
The case involves the rape and murder of a trainee doctor, whose body was found on August 9 in the seminar room of RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. ALSO READ: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/kokata-rape-murder-case-kolkata-court-sentences-sanjay-roy-to-life-imprisonment-1737365161930" target="_blank">Kokata rape-murder case: Court sentences Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment</a>

The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine in the RG Kar rape and murder case.

Kokata rape-murder case: Kolkata court sentences Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment

The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court sentenced Sanjay Roy to life imprisonment and a Rs 50,000 fine in the RG Kar rape and murder case.

The Sealdah Civil and Criminal Court handed down a life imprisonment sentence on Monday to Sanjay Roy, the accused in the RG Kar rape and murder case.&nbsp;
In addition to the prison term, the court imposed a fine of Rs 50,000. During the trial, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) argued in favor of the death penalty for Roy.&nbsp;
Addressing the defendant, the court stated, &ldquo;I told you the previous day the charges you were convicted against and the charges that have been proven against you.&rdquo;
The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Anirban Das in Sealdah had on Saturday held Roy guilty of the crime committed against the postgraduate trainee doctor at the hospital on August 9 last year, which sparked off unprecedented and prolonged nationwide protests.
Judge Das said the crime did not fall under the "rarest of the rare" category as justification for not giving death penalty to the convict.
When questioned about the allegations, Roy maintained his innocence. &ldquo;I have not done anything, neither rape nor murder. I am being falsely implicated. You have seen everything. I am innocent. I already told you that I was tortured. They made me sign whatever they wanted,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;
His lawyer argued that even in extreme cases, the possibility of reform should remain. &ldquo;Even if it is a rarest of rare cases, there should be scope for reformation. The court has to show why the convict is not worth reformation or rehabilitation... The public prosecutor has to present evidence and give reasons why the person is not worth reformation and should be completely eliminated from society...&rdquo;
In contrast, the lawyer representing the victim&rsquo;s family called for the maximum penalty. &ldquo;I want the death sentence as maximum punishment...&rdquo; he stated. The victim&rsquo;s father echoed this demand, declaring that their fight for justice would continue both in the courts and on the streets.&nbsp;
&ldquo;On Saturday, the judge said that the harshest punishment would be given (to the accused). We have full faith in the judge. Our fight will continue in the courts and streets,&rdquo; he told ANI.
Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee highlighted her administration&rsquo;s cooperation with the investigation. Speaking before the court proceedings began, Banerjee said, &ldquo;We have cooperated with the investigation...we had demanded justice but judiciary had to run its course so that&rsquo;s why it took this much time but we always wanted the victim to get justice.&rdquo;
The guilty verdict against Sanjay Roy was delivered on Saturday. The court stated that Roy had been charged under sections 64, 66, and 103/1 of BNS, citing allegations that he assaulted and murdered the trainee doctor in a seminar room at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital.&nbsp;
The incident, which occurred on August 9, prompted widespread public protests. Roy, who worked as a civic volunteer at the hospital, was subsequently arrested.

The number of casualties in the collapse of an illegal under-construction building in Kolkata has risen to 9.

9 killed in Kolkata building collapse; opposition fires 'corruption' salvo at Mamata administration

The number of casualties in the collapse of an illegal under-construction building in Kolkata has risen to 9.

The collapse of an illegal under-construction building in Kolkata's western fringes claiming at least nine lives and injuring 17 more early on Monday provoked a fierce political debate over whether the incident opened up yet another Pandora's box of corruption under the TMC regime in Bengal.
Despite some 18 hours having passed since the collapse, several people were still believed to have remained trapped inside the rubble, triggering apprehensions of a further rise in the death toll, which kept mounting through the day. The deceased included two women who lived in the vicinity.
In the aftermath of the five-storey building, allegedly being constructed by filling up a water body, crumbling down on neighbourhood shanties occupied by unsuspecting dwellers in the thickly-populated Azhar Mollah Bagan area of Garden Reach, state Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari claimed that the locality teemed with no less than 800 such unauthorised buildings.
Demanding a court-monitored audit by central bodies like the CPWD into constructions in urban areas of the state, Adhikari set a one-month deadline for the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) to publish the list of authorised and unathorised structures in its 141 wards.
"I will also file RTIs with the KMC secretary seeking details of such constructions and bring the details out in public domain," he declared.
While Md Wasim, the promoter of the building, was arrested, the investigation into the collapse was handed over to the homicide department of the city police. IPC sections pertaining to murder, attempt to murder and criminal negligence were slapped on the accused, police said.
The building has been under construction since December 2022. It comprised 16 apartments, each of 500 square feet area, all of which were booked for sale, police sources said.
"There are several builders involved in the project. We are on the lookout for the others," a senior officer said.
Meanwhile, a show-cause notice was issued by the KMC to three officers of the ranks of executive engineer, assistant engineer and sub-assistant engineer for their possible "oversight" of the illegal construction, a top civic body official told PTI.
"The officers have been asked to reply within the next 48 hours and stringent actions could be taken against them if their responses were found unsatisfactory," he said.
Earlier in the day, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the collapse site and assured locals of stern action against the promoters of illegal real estate. She also announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured.
"Sad to learn about the house collapse disaster of an under-construction building in the Garden Reach area of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Our Mayor, Fire Minister, Secretaries and Commissioner of Police, civic, police, fire and disaster management officers and teams (including NDRF, KMC and KP teams) have been on site throughout the night for mitigating the disaster," the chief minister wrote on X on Monday morning.
"This was an illegal construction. I express my condolences to the family. I urge the administration to take strict action against those responsible for the disaster," she said, after visiting the injured at the state-run SSKM Hospital.
In her first public appearance since her fall at home and injuries on her forehead last Thursday, Banerjee was seen visiting the collapse site with a bandaged forehead.
Kolkata Mayor Firhad Hakim, who also happens to be the local MLA besides holding the state urban department portfolio, admitted that the structure was unauthorised, but passed the buck on to the previous regime of the state.
"It has been a trend here and also in some other areas since the Left Front era," Hakim said.
He also stated that there could have been a "lapse on the part of the officials" for failing to monitor whether constructions in the locality were being made in accordance with law.
Alleging that the local TMC councillor Shams Iqbal was involved in the real estate scam in the area, Adhikari demanded his arrest.
"The mayor and the chief minister, too, cannot absolve themselves of the responsibility of the deaths of so many innocent people," the BJP leader said.
Defending the councillor, Hakim said, "It is not the job of a local councillor but of the civic body officials to inspect whether constructions are taking place according to sanctioned plans from KMC." TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee, responded, stating this wasn't the time to play politics over a tragedy.
"I tell the opposition leaders raising questions that politics can wait. We will have enough time to do politics later. At the moment, we should focus on rescuing the people who are stuck. We hope that such incidents are not repeated. All institutions should work in tandem," he said.
Reacting sharply to Hakim's allegation, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha member and former Kolkata mayor Bikash Bhattacharya wondered what the TMC was doing during its 12-year rule even if such an accusation was considered true for the sake of argument.
"If anything bad happens in the state, the TMC finds it convenient to blame the erstwhile Left Front government," Bhattacharya told PTI, rubbishing the mayor's claim.
Bengal Governor C V Ananda Bose also visited the accident site and spoke to the locals, rescue workers and police personnel posted there. Later, he visited the hospital and met the injured.
Speaking to the media, Bose said, "The helpless people die of no fault of theirs. This is a human failure. There is a lapse on the part of the builder, but the failure of supervisors is greater. They have failed miserably in their duties."
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/electoral-bonds-tmc-s-encashment-doubled-after-2021-bengal-elections-win-1710506550153">Electoral bonds: TMC's encashment doubled after 2021 Bengal elections win</a>

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