In a fresh controversy in West Bengal's Murshidabad district, the son of a suspended Trinamool Congress (TMC) legislator was detained by police on Sunday for allegedly assaulting his father's personal security officer. The incident has sparked allegations of political vendetta and misconduct from both sides.
Detention and Conflicting Allegations
The Saktipur police detained Gulam Nabi Azad, popularly known as Robin, following a complaint lodged by Constable Jumma Khan. The PSO alleged that Robin assaulted him after he sought leave to visit his home. According to the police complaint, the incident occurred in full public view at the ground-floor office of Robin's father, suspended MLA Humayun Kabir, within the Saktipur police station area.
Acting on the complaint, a police team visited Kabir's residence, detained Robin, and questioned him. However, the situation escalated when Kabir, who is also the chairman of the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP), accused the police of harassing his family and claimed the security guard had misbehaved first.
MLA Kabir's Counter-Charge and Political Vendetta Claim
Speaking to the media in Berhampore, Humayun Kabir issued a warning to the Murshidabad superintendent of police against targeting his family. He alleged a political conspiracy after learning police vehicles had surrounded his house. Kabir claimed that only his son, wife, and daughter-in-law were present at home at the time.
The suspended MLA presented a different version of events. He questioned why the PSO, whose accommodation is 100 metres from his residence and whose duty is only to accompany him during travels, entered his personal office without permission. "I asked him to leave, explaining that I could not grant him leave today. He then pursued me, and my son pushed him out," Kabir told reporters after nearly an hour of discussion with police officers.
Kabir has filed a formal complaint against the PSO for alleged misbehaviour. He asserted that CCTV footage from the area would reveal the truth. Following news of his son's detention, Kabir cancelled his plans to travel to Kolkata and instead went to the Saktipur police station.
Threat of Protest and Legal Recourse
The political leader did not stop at accusations. He announced a plan to lead a gherao (encirclement) of the Murshidabad SP's office in Berhampore on Thursday at 12 pm. "If the police lay hands on my son, wife or any family member, I will surround the superintendent of police’s office on Thursday. I will bring Berhampur to a standstill," Kabir warned.
Displaying a defiant stance, Kabir stated he was accustomed to such situations after many years in politics. He confirmed that a case was being filed against them but noted it fell under bailable sections. "We will take legal action," he said before finally leaving for Kolkata.
This incident adds another layer to the ongoing political drama surrounding Kabir. He was suspended by the TMC on December 6 for laying the foundation stone for a mosque resembling the Babri Masjid style in Murshidabad. Subsequently, on December 22, he launched his own political outfit, the Janata Unnayan Party (JUP). The latest episode underscores the tense political climate in the region, where personal, political, and administrative lines often blur.
