The examination of viscera samples of Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee has encountered a roadblock, with Balasore police attributing the delay to Digha Mohana police being occupied with election duty in West Bengal. The actor drowned during the shooting of a television serial at Talasari beach in Balasore last month.
Post-Mortem Findings and Sample Preservation
During the post-mortem examination at Digha State General Hospital on March 29, medical officers preserved his viscera samples. However, Digha police have yet to send them for forensic analysis to establish the cause of death. When Balasore police sought the report, they were informed that the samples would be dispatched immediately after the first phase of elections concludes on April 23, as per a Balasore police officer speaking to TOI.
The post-mortem indicated that Banerjee's lungs were filled with seawater and sand, suggesting drowning as the likely cause. The delay in forensic analysis has raised concerns among the family and investigators.
Legal Action Against Production Company
On April 4, Talasari police registered a case against five senior officials of the production company on charges of negligence leading to the actor's death on March 29, and fabricating a false narrative around the incident. Police sources confirmed that the testimony of Banerjee's wife, actor Priyanka Sarkar, who is the complainant in the case, is likely to be recorded on Wednesday.
Summons have been issued to the accused, directing them to appear at Talasari police station on April 24. Additionally, Balasore police have requested all relevant case records from Digha Mohana police to aid the investigation.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by law enforcement during election periods, where resources are diverted, potentially delaying justice. The actor's family awaits clarity on the circumstances surrounding his untimely death.
