Victim's Family Challenges Bail in West Bengal Post-Poll Violence Case

The family of a victim from West Bengal's 2021 post-poll violence has appealed to the Supreme Court against a Calcutta High Court order granting bail to two accused. The family alleges threats and errors in the High Court's decision. The Supreme Court will hear the case on September 20.

The family of a victim of West Bengal's 2021 post-poll violence has taken their case to the Supreme Court. They are challenging a Calcutta High Court order that granted bail to two accused, Rahul Dey and Saurav, on August 5, 2024, according to a petition filed through advocate Shoumendu Mukherji.

The petition, brought forward by the deceased's brother and mother, recounts the brutal murder of their family member. He was dragged out of his house, strangled with a CCTV camera wire, and beaten to death with bricks and sticks in front of his mother. The family asserts they were the first targets in the orchestrated violence backed by the then-ruling political establishment.

The petition notes that the accused absconded for months and were only apprehended on February 14, 2022. The family alleges they have faced threats, intimidation, and assaults during the trial. They contend that the High Court ignored essential facts and that the bail order has left them fearing for their lives. The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing for September 20.

(With inputs from agencies.)