Former state minister and Trinamool Congress (TMC) MLA from Habra, Jyotipriyoa Mallick, was attacked in front of his residence at Salt Lake on Sunday night. According to witnesses, an unidentified man suddenly punched the MLA below his ribs, causing him to fall to the ground. Police later arrested the attacker from the spot.
Local sources said Mallick, popularly known as Balu, had returned to his Salt Lake home from Habra earlier in the day. As he entered his office on the ground floor of the house, the young man allegedly lunged at him and struck him in the stomach. The unexpected blow caused the MLA to collapse on the road. Hearing his cries, office staff rushed out, restrained the attacker, and alerted the police.
Witnesses claimed that the accused was so aggressive that several people struggled to subdue him, even as police personnel stationed nearby looked on. He was later handed over to the authorities.
Sources close to Mallick said he sustained minor injuries to his face and abdomen, but did not require hospitalisation. “He is diabetic, so the sudden assault left him shaken,” a family acquaintance said.
After the incident, Mallick reportedly inquired about the attacker, stating that he had never seen the man before. CCTV footage from the residence revealed that the accused had been loitering near the house since around 3 p.m., occasionally leaving and returning before launching the attack when the MLA arrived.
Police have launched an investigation to determine the motive behind the assault.
Mallick was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in 2023 in connection with the alleged ration distribution scam. After spending around 14 months in custody, he was released on bail on January 15 this year. Once a key minister in the state cabinet, Mallick was removed from his ministerial post following his arrest.
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