In a dramatic turn of events, State Bharatiya Janata Party President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar was arrested on Friday from Bhabanipur while en route to meet anesthesiologist Dr Rajatshubhra Banerjee. The arrest has sparked a fresh wave of political controversy, with allegations of police overreach and political vendetta surfacing from the Bharatiya Janata Party.
According to reports, Majumdar was stopped by Kolkata Police near south Kolkata’s Purna Cinema Hall, where Banerjee had come to meet him. A heated altercation reportedly broke out between the police and the Union Minister, following which both Majumdar and Banerjee were detained and taken to Lalbazar police headquarters. However, they were released later.
Majumdar claimed that the doctor is being targeted by the state administration for raising critical questions during Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s recent visit to London. While addressing a session at Kellogg College, Banerjee had publicly questioned the Chief Minister on issues including the rape and murder of a doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College — an incident that drew nationwide outrage.
“This is nothing but political vendetta,” Majumdar said after his release, adding, “Banerjee invited me to his home, which happens to be near the chief minister’s nephew Abhishek Banerjee’s residence. But police blocked my path and arrested us without giving any reason. I asked them, ‘What is our crime?’ and received no answer. The doctor even left his ailing mother at home just to meet me.”
Also read: Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee leaves for UK
Following his return to Kolkata from abroad, Banerjee found himself at the center of fresh controversy. The West Bengal Medical Council served him a notice, questioning the legality of his medical practice in the state as an anesthesiologist with only an MBBS degree. He was asked to respond within ten days.
In response, Banerjee dismissed the notice outright, calling it an intimidation tactic. “I don’t even live in this country anymore. I left practice two years ago. This is a clear attempt to harass me,” he said, adding, “I have not responded to the letter— I tore it.”
The BJP has strongly condemned the arrests, terming them "an assault on democratic rights and free expression." The party plans to escalate the issue both at the state and national levels.
Also read: Mamata slams Centre over denial of funds
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