Mamata Banerjee condemns assault on Calcutta HC lawyer in West Bengal
Banerjee seeks action after lawyer Shamim Ahmed was allegedly attacked near Salboni police station, with three vehicles reportedly vandalised
Former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday (October 4) condemned the alleged assault on Calcutta High Court lawyer Shamim Ahmed near Salboni police station in West Medinipur district and demanded action to protect advocates.
“The brutal assault on Advocate Samim Ahammed, newly elected Member of the Bar Council of West Bengal, near Salboni PS is deeply disturbing!”
Seeks action after alleged assault
Banerjee further alleged that Ahmed was pressured to change his complaint after the incident. She said that he returned home safely after the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court intervened.
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“I am shocked to learn that he was even pressured to alter his complaint. Following the intervention of the Hon’ble Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court, Samim returned home safely,” stated Banerjee in a post on X.
She accused BJP workers of repeated attacks and called for action against those responsible.
Condemns attacks on advocates
“I strongly condemn such repeated atrocities by hooligans of BJP and urge the Administration to ensure the safety and security of advocates and take firm, impartial action against those responsible,” stated Banerjee.
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“West Bengal cannot permit a culture of intimidation and JUNGLE RAJ to prevail. The rule of law must prevail over political violence. Every advocate, irrespective of political affiliation or ideology, must be able to discharge their professional duties without fear,” she added.
Banerjee also referred to separate incidents involving lawyers at Bankshall Court and Baruipur Court.
“The recent attacks on advocates at Bankshall Court and Baruipur Court are equally unacceptable,” she said.
Lawyers targeted after Garbeta visit
Her remarks came after a group of lawyers, including Ahmed visited families of CPI(M) workers affected by recent clashes in Garbeta. The delegation included lawyers from the Calcutta High Court and Medinipur court.
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Their vehicles were reportedly targeted thrice in the Dhadika Bazar area before the group reached the Salboni police station area.
The lawyers alleged that sticks, shovels and bamboo were used in the attacks. Three male lawyers and two female lawyers from the Calcutta High Court were injured. The women were also allegedly harassed.
West Midnapore police escorted the lawyers out of the area for their safety, but they were allegedly attacked again near Salboni police station. Three vehicles were vandalised.