CPI(M) Leader Arrested Amid Alleged Conspiracy to Attack Protesters

CPI(M) leader Kalatan Dasgupta and another individual were arrested for allegedly plotting to attack protesting junior doctors. The arrests followed the release of an incriminating audio clip by TMC's Kunal Ghosh. The incident is perceived by some as a diversion from protests concerning a doctor's rape and murder.

CPI(M) leader Kalatan Dasgupta and another individual were apprehended on allegations of plotting an attack on protesting junior doctors, according to police reports on Saturday. The arrests came in the wake of an audio clip released by TMC leader Kunal Ghosh, who claimed it revealed a conspiracy to discredit the Mamata Banerjee government by targeting the protesters outside Swashtya Bhawan in Salt Lake.

A suo motu case was lodged by the Bidhannagar Police following the release of the audio clip on Friday. Another suspect, identified as Sanjiv Das, was detained from Haltu in south Kolkata on Friday evening, while Dasgupta was arrested the next morning. Deputy Commissioner of Police Aneesh Sarkar confirmed that the conspiracy might have been planned on the day junior doctors visited the state secretariat, Nabanna. Technical analysis authenticated the audio clip, and Das admitted his voice featured in it.

Police continue efforts to identify three other individuals mentioned in the clip: 'Bappa', 'Saheb', and 'Dadu'. Meanwhile, CPI(M) leader Sujan Chakraborty claimed the arrests aim to distract from ongoing protests over a doctor's rape and murder at RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. He demanded a CBI investigation to uncover the depth of the conspiracy. Deputy Commissioner Sarkar added that both arrested individuals would be presented in court and their 14-day custody would be sought. An increased police presence and additional CCTV cameras have been deployed at the protest site outside the state Health Department's headquarters.

(With inputs from agencies.)