Eight people have been arrested in West Bengal’s Bankura district after 51-year-old Sekh Mohammad Mafik died from injuries sustained in an alleged attack at his home, police said. The victim was the father of Sekh Abdul Hafeez, a volunteer of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The incident took place on August 13 in Karisunda village under the Indas police station area. Mafik died on August 15 while undergoing treatment at Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital.
Attack Followed School Inspection
According to the family, Hafeez had visited Karisunda Paschimpara Primary School on August 13 as part of the CJP’s “School Thik Karo” campaign. He had reportedly gone to document the condition of the government school, including its classrooms and facilities.
Hafeez had earlier returned to the village after participating in a CJP protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar in July.
Hafeez alleged that after his school visit, a group of men came to his house that evening. He said the attackers were looking for him but assaulted his father after he went inside the house.
“They were looking for me but launched a brutal attack on my father after they could not find me,” Hafeez said.
According to the family’s complaint, the attackers were armed with sticks, rods and other weapons. Mafik suffered serious injuries to his head and was initially taken to a local health centre before being shifted to Bardhaman Medical College and Hospital, where he died.
Eight People Arrested
Mafik’s wife, Hasina Begum, lodged a complaint at Indas police station on August 16. The complaint named several people and alleged that a larger group had attacked the family.
Police have since arrested eight people identified as Sekh Azad, Srikanta Majhi, Prasanta Ruidas, Rohit Majhi, Bablu Majhi, Santu Majhi, Tinku Kewra and Oshtom Majhi.
Three of those named in the FIR were reportedly remanded to police custody, while the others were sent to judicial custody.
The accused have been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to assault, attempted murder, murder and damage to property.
One of the arrested men, Oshtom Majhi, has been described by local sources as a BJP leader. The family and CJP have alleged that local BJP workers were behind the attack.
Suvendu Adhikari Denies BJP Link
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari has rejected the allegation that the BJP was involved in the incident.
“Of the five persons against whom an FIR has been registered, three have already been arrested. The two others will also be arrested. There is no BJP connection here. They are all criminals. Action will be taken according to law,” Adhikari said.
The police investigation is continuing, with authorities examining the circumstances surrounding the attack and the allegations made by the victim’s family.
CJP Demands Action
CJP leaders have condemned Mafik’s death and demanded action against those responsible.
CJP spokesperson Ashutosh Ranka said the organisation stood with Hafeez and his family.
“His family was assaulted simply for visiting a government school. We won’t be intimidated. You keep spreading violence and hatred, we will keep fighting for schools,” Ranka said.
The incident has also drawn reactions from opposition and student groups, who have visited the family and called for a thorough investigation.
Hafeez has alleged that he had faced threats before the August 13 attack over his association with the CJP and his social media posts. These allegations are also part of the wider investigation.
Police are expected to rely on the FIR, witness statements, medical records and other evidence to establish what led to the assault and Mafik’s subsequent death.
